tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69420978666580275452018-02-08T22:23:51.145-05:00365 Days and Other RamblingsLorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.comBlogger461125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-28770686408748749362017-10-22T14:22:00.000-04:002017-10-22T14:22:19.893-04:00A "Test Quilt"...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJYu6yUSfiQ/WezaV4sX98I/AAAAAAAAKpk/yZXto1KiTMoiBBIusiuB1BqVaBCGTllSACLcBGAs/s1600/508b478f46c913f11b302a1c5cd08616--quilting-quotes-quilting-tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="323" data-original-width="350" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KJYu6yUSfiQ/WezaV4sX98I/AAAAAAAAKpk/yZXto1KiTMoiBBIusiuB1BqVaBCGTllSACLcBGAs/s320/508b478f46c913f11b302a1c5cd08616--quilting-quotes-quilting-tips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>"Hey" to all you beautiful blog readers out there!&nbsp; Once again...time has gotten away from me!&nbsp; I'm still here!&nbsp; I've been doing a lot of quilting so I thought I'd share some of it with you!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: left;"><b>A friend of mine, Kevin H. from the "<a href="http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Kevin the Quilter</a>" blog, designed a quilt top and asked me to be a tester for him.&nbsp; He is a scrap quilter through and through, and this one is made totally of strings!&nbsp; He named it "Sorta, Kinda Amish" and you can read his blog post about it <a href="http://kevinthequilter.blogspot.com/2017/09/ahhhhhh-september.html" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olBAof3WoNU/WezalA1EmqI/AAAAAAAAKp0/YTyK7DicHvs1IkZk8L6vk7sX3yGXjgnyACLcBGAs/s1600/Amish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1600" height="328" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-olBAof3WoNU/WezalA1EmqI/AAAAAAAAKp0/YTyK7DicHvs1IkZk8L6vk7sX3yGXjgnyACLcBGAs/s400/Amish1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>I thought I had a lot of strings, but ended up having to pull out some of my ugly 1980's blue FQ's out of my stash and cutting some more.&nbsp; He had lighter blue strings around his middle red square and darker strings in the border.&nbsp; Snce I knew I didn't have enough blue, let alone enough to separate them out into "lighter" and "darker", I decided to use neutral strings</b><b>...which I had a BUNCH of...</b><b>&nbsp;around the red inner square instead!&nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I tend to buy and use neutrals that have a lot of prints on them, so to make the neutral strings more "cohesive" and less assaulting on the eyes, I actually used the back side of the fabric!&nbsp; Yes...you can do that.&nbsp; You paid for both sides, so you get to choose which side you want to use!&nbsp; ;)&nbsp; &nbsp;By using the backside in this quilt, I think it provides a calm spot for your eyes to rest.</b><br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Some of those ugly 1980's "country" blues put to use (the bottom strings)...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>If the fabric is still ugly, you just haven't cut it small enough...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwe38DkzqUw/WezalwJQkSI/AAAAAAAAKp8/HsjVngVZAV0BziHM4a0iR_z7odwRDefjACLcBGAs/s1600/Amish4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1600" height="280" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mwe38DkzqUw/WezalwJQkSI/AAAAAAAAKp8/HsjVngVZAV0BziHM4a0iR_z7odwRDefjACLcBGAs/s400/Amish4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Since I was starting to run out of red strings towards the end, instead of using longer strings to make the cornerstones, I divided the block size into fourths, used the shorter strings, and then sewed them together to make the larger cornerstones.&nbsp; (You can see some of the ugly 1980's blue peeking through on this pic, too!)</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMopm82bFw/Wezam9waK_I/AAAAAAAAKqA/NCOVRM8YHIwI1lqPvGv12_HCLE4Kh1JOgCLcBGAs/s1600/Amish5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WcMopm82bFw/Wezam9waK_I/AAAAAAAAKqA/NCOVRM8YHIwI1lqPvGv12_HCLE4Kh1JOgCLcBGAs/s400/Amish5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Since I rarely use black in my quilting, I ended up having to cut some strings from some black FQ's, too, to get enough for the inner border...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Tj_dLWET8/Wezam9xAK4I/AAAAAAAAKqE/xnwvCJtgdc0UbsTULU8iYIfSsR2dCbdlgCLcBGAs/s1600/Amish6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B6Tj_dLWET8/Wezam9xAK4I/AAAAAAAAKqE/xnwvCJtgdc0UbsTULU8iYIfSsR2dCbdlgCLcBGAs/s640/Amish6.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>I haven't measured the finished quilt top, but I would estimate it to be about 44" x 44".&nbsp; Originally, I thought about adding another border and cornerstones to make it bigger, but decided to leave it "as is", which is the original pattern size.&nbsp; I haven't quilted it, yet, but plan on sandwiching several quilt tops in the future and doing it then.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I want to thank Kevin for letting me test his quilt pattern for him!&nbsp; It was a lot of fun to make and worked up quickly!&nbsp; I think I worked on it for about 3 evenings and 1 Saturday.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Loretta</span></i></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-13409805680975400852017-08-27T10:12:00.000-04:002017-08-27T10:12:08.524-04:00Quilt Gifted...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBAGewNgJgE/WaLNIl-bVmI/AAAAAAAAKMc/ZU_LAU1gksQlXQ4JGWJtm_trIA3H6raMQCLcBGAs/s1600/13ebbff605318bd81dedda0493d3d2ee--quilting-quotes-quilting-tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="300" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TBAGewNgJgE/WaLNIl-bVmI/AAAAAAAAKMc/ZU_LAU1gksQlXQ4JGWJtm_trIA3H6raMQCLcBGAs/s400/13ebbff605318bd81dedda0493d3d2ee--quilting-quotes-quilting-tips.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>My son-in-law's mother, Lucy, lives with him and my daughter's family. &nbsp;Lucy asked me one time how much it would be for me to quilt a quilt for her. &nbsp;When I told her how much I charge, I knew there was no way she would ever be able to afford it.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>So when Dale asked me to make a quilt for his sister, I decided that I would also deliver one for his mother at the same time.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>When we went to Tennessee for Ellie's birth, I delivered the quilts...one for his sister and one for his mom.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Unfortunately, the only picture I have of the whole quilt is this one that was taken at the guild meeting in June when I took it for "show and tell".</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eje5kpFE58Y/WaLNIvde8BI/AAAAAAAAKMY/FdYNk-5oKpMSjz7glOMWFYSKIRuAjxgHACLcBGAs/s1600/19429909_10154680851367644_4627838115377593561_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="928" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eje5kpFE58Y/WaLNIvde8BI/AAAAAAAAKMY/FdYNk-5oKpMSjz7glOMWFYSKIRuAjxgHACLcBGAs/s400/19429909_10154680851367644_4627838115377593561_n.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Lucy was shocked when I gave it to her! &nbsp;I told her that now everyone in the house has their own quilt! &nbsp;Unbeknownst to me at the time that I was quilting this for her, her room in their new house is painted blue and white! &nbsp;:) &nbsp;Lucky coincidence! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Here's a close-up of the quilting...all done freehand on my Tin Lizzie18" sit-down long-arm machine...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qx8t3qRd_8/WaLR4DdRUqI/AAAAAAAAKMs/o3QfXeRMYco00GNheFQOCYfOSfck854bwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lucy%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5Qx8t3qRd_8/WaLR4DdRUqI/AAAAAAAAKMs/o3QfXeRMYco00GNheFQOCYfOSfck854bwCLcBGAs/s400/Lucy%2527s%2Bquilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtBKSHFZY7A/WaLR3wTd6pI/AAAAAAAAKMo/1A5WlrUIErIfCHF9tKJKSAI_oSZjJio5ACLcBGAs/s1600/Lucy%2527s%2Bquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VtBKSHFZY7A/WaLR3wTd6pI/AAAAAAAAKMo/1A5WlrUIErIfCHF9tKJKSAI_oSZjJio5ACLcBGAs/s400/Lucy%2527s%2Bquilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Loretta</i></b></span></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-62352130205156697642017-08-22T16:24:00.000-04:002017-08-22T18:57:54.159-04:00The Newest Addition...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw2ilOAk0nI/WZyNZpj8lgI/AAAAAAAAKKA/bvBVluzhfH8a7YqENPzA4AvHWEepOa-twCLcBGAs/s1600/260509-great-grandparents-grandchildren-quotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="236" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vw2ilOAk0nI/WZyNZpj8lgI/AAAAAAAAKKA/bvBVluzhfH8a7YqENPzA4AvHWEepOa-twCLcBGAs/s1600/260509-great-grandparents-grandchildren-quotes.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>On August 9th, we welcomed a new addition to our family...Eleanor Tillie Gwen Paez...our fifth grandchild! &nbsp;</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ftX4QeDQck/WZyNZiVLV8I/AAAAAAAAKKE/4UxkRTkuL3MG__tea9B2ZV45fNaOgDOCgCLcBGAs/s1600/Ellie10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="331" height="290" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ftX4QeDQck/WZyNZiVLV8I/AAAAAAAAKKE/4UxkRTkuL3MG__tea9B2ZV45fNaOgDOCgCLcBGAs/s400/Ellie10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujwEmgEXgbI/WZyNcwxhyOI/AAAAAAAAKK4/pSJPVlPugXMazW-E8HNL-3no3oeVQcMGQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="331" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ujwEmgEXgbI/WZyNcwxhyOI/AAAAAAAAKK4/pSJPVlPugXMazW-E8HNL-3no3oeVQcMGQCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie9.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__wNHKa_ISg/WZyNclF293I/AAAAAAAAKK4/8OybJhXHGJ8BnwB7CPtbpv2_t9RMbGSXwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="356" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-__wNHKa_ISg/WZyNclF293I/AAAAAAAAKK4/8OybJhXHGJ8BnwB7CPtbpv2_t9RMbGSXwCEwYBhgL/s400/Ellie8.jpg" width="395" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>We were headed to Tennessee to welcome her into the world, but she made her entrance before we could get there. &nbsp;She was born late morning and we arrived around 5 PM.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>What a JOY to meet and hold her!!!</b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3TDOd5eFD0/WZyNbi94QnI/AAAAAAAAKK4/Qo9yOwwZpgM5PdAuU327CV8pcL1JkVjmwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="331" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f3TDOd5eFD0/WZyNbi94QnI/AAAAAAAAKK4/Qo9yOwwZpgM5PdAuU327CV8pcL1JkVjmwCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie4.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2b9g8nFWfE/WZyNcmN812I/AAAAAAAAKK4/gmoMG8UjSZ4Q2YAnIHkb3uPhPFi-7TS_wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="725" height="322" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O2b9g8nFWfE/WZyNcmN812I/AAAAAAAAKK4/gmoMG8UjSZ4Q2YAnIHkb3uPhPFi-7TS_wCEwYBhgL/s400/Ellie7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Here was Clark seeing her for the first time!!! &nbsp;He was immediately enthralled with "Baby Sister"!!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hegaUvrVhUQ/WZyNb0ZcZaI/AAAAAAAAKK4/DY_2D2BHOXwe__vAORFypj0_cTsTDj9-gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="331" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hegaUvrVhUQ/WZyNb0ZcZaI/AAAAAAAAKK4/DY_2D2BHOXwe__vAORFypj0_cTsTDj9-gCEwYBhgL/s400/Ellie5.jpg" width="367" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUprROYMFXU/WZyNasIvI5I/AAAAAAAAKK4/Uccgf1rGhnE0h4WKJq-f3Vf1YrtmZz6vQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wUprROYMFXU/WZyNasIvI5I/AAAAAAAAKK4/Uccgf1rGhnE0h4WKJq-f3Vf1YrtmZz6vQCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie12.jpg" width="468" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Big sister, Sera...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQWF7uKDIgQ/WZyNcXJYn5I/AAAAAAAAKK4/cXiXIg0g7BAnPSmZqhFWpbnGCnyzmdhcQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="313" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQWF7uKDIgQ/WZyNcXJYn5I/AAAAAAAAKK4/cXiXIg0g7BAnPSmZqhFWpbnGCnyzmdhcQCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie6.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNwhW6W9XfQ/WZyNacVYOlI/AAAAAAAAKK4/-kvJ6Ub5YNIL474fZFrMPSRYS6RT_ANqgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNwhW6W9XfQ/WZyNacVYOlI/AAAAAAAAKK4/-kvJ6Ub5YNIL474fZFrMPSRYS6RT_ANqgCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie11.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Andy has always had a way of calming a crying baby...I can't even calculate how many miles he put on our carpet when the kids were young...walking them to soothe them...and here he is doing it once more for a fussy Ellie!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aagFjn5kE2E/WZyNaXmx-_I/AAAAAAAAKK4/L3BbJnbHWgkOKRskOQNu1TsxKErix3UswCEwYBhgL/s1600/Ellie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="769" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aagFjn5kE2E/WZyNaXmx-_I/AAAAAAAAKK4/L3BbJnbHWgkOKRskOQNu1TsxKErix3UswCEwYBhgL/s640/Ellie1.jpg" width="306" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>One of the family traditions is that I give the grandbabies their first sponge bath at home!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLOgUb74dz8/WZyOLuBTQVI/AAAAAAAAKK8/hPNIkUaXGNgmJL2EQPARNv1ASVuMmPNdACLcBGAs/s1600/Ellie13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kLOgUb74dz8/WZyOLuBTQVI/AAAAAAAAKK8/hPNIkUaXGNgmJL2EQPARNv1ASVuMmPNdACLcBGAs/s640/Ellie13.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>We were able to stay a few days and spend some time with all 3 of the Tennessee grandkids. &nbsp;I took Sera to the pool a couple of times and we had fun!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfCABbHsdmA/WZyONEFxTdI/AAAAAAAAKLE/1z9gwzMwp584EEKA7LBG-BwKovQJORJ4QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Sera1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lfCABbHsdmA/WZyONEFxTdI/AAAAAAAAKLE/1z9gwzMwp584EEKA7LBG-BwKovQJORJ4QCEwYBhgL/s400/Sera1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>It was difficult to leave them when the time came to return home, but until the day that I can retire, we have to leave them and just plan for our next visit!</b></div><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-35181761058001873472017-08-05T15:05:00.000-04:002017-08-05T15:05:46.967-04:00Quilt Finished...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;"><b>Quote for the Day:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Finished is better than perfect"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">~a favorite saying amongst quilters</span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Last year I was gifted some quilt tops from a friend's mother's estate. &nbsp;Most are pieced by hand, probably using templates and scissors, which makes for some "wonky" quilt tops. &nbsp;But they are all still beautiful in that special way that antique or vintage items are.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Many years ago there used to be a shirt factory here in Grafton (way before our time of moving here.) &nbsp;I've been told that you could go down there and buy "remnants" very cheaply, so many of the old quilts/quilt tops from this area have shirting material in them.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I believe that this particular quilt top is made from that mixture of feed sacks and shirtings, probably obtained from the former factory.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Here's a picture of the quilt top when it was given to me....</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO9L3D3ugTQ/WYYSr0b6ljI/AAAAAAAAKAA/W7nujq2AXFMu61gsKdYHaWEOcpDk9diYgCLcBGAs/s1600/quilts7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GO9L3D3ugTQ/WYYSr0b6ljI/AAAAAAAAKAA/W7nujq2AXFMu61gsKdYHaWEOcpDk9diYgCLcBGAs/s640/quilts7.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The middle was pretty, but it had a narrow solid, medium-blue border that was VERY WAVY (meaning that there was NO WAY it would ever lay flat!) &nbsp;Also, that particular blue was not reflected anywhere in the quilt, so it looked like it was just an after-thought...slapped on for lack of something better. &nbsp;I also didn't think the width of the border complimented the rest of the quilt, so I removed the offending border and added a wider border made from a 1930's reproduction fabric that complimented the red and pink already in some of the quilt blocks.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I purchased a cream-colored, solid backing and used 100% cotton Warm &amp; Natural batting. &nbsp;I quilted it on my Tin Lizzie18 sit-down long-arm machine using Aurifil 50wt. cotton thread on top and Bottom Line 60wt. polyester thread in the bobbin. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I LOVE the way it turned out!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvarbkoz5GU/WYYRoyR-poI/AAAAAAAAJ_o/E2XhBLrmwPYMKyTVGoF5Bk7dBoy_tyxhQCLcBGAs/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="966" data-original-width="1600" height="241" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvarbkoz5GU/WYYRoyR-poI/AAAAAAAAJ_o/E2XhBLrmwPYMKyTVGoF5Bk7dBoy_tyxhQCLcBGAs/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3q7MQPIbxM/WYYRnJd8ZCI/AAAAAAAAJ_k/YzTocEVd28sueuNiDUxWQ-HdR-p49_jqQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1600" height="315" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-O3q7MQPIbxM/WYYRnJd8ZCI/AAAAAAAAJ_k/YzTocEVd28sueuNiDUxWQ-HdR-p49_jqQCEwYBhgL/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M6DpvyJIhc/WYYRqF7XR6I/AAAAAAAAJ_w/tvZfJRItADst5ewCUCoCCk2wOTD_FmU3gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1273" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9M6DpvyJIhc/WYYRqF7XR6I/AAAAAAAAJ_w/tvZfJRItADst5ewCUCoCCk2wOTD_FmU3gCEwYBhgL/s640/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt3.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>One of the feed sack blocks...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PaCEUj2CiM/WYYRpmU_CRI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/OpNIAnzav3sFiAdxNiiKc3zNDfYRn9dsQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9PaCEUj2CiM/WYYRpmU_CRI/AAAAAAAAJ_s/OpNIAnzav3sFiAdxNiiKc3zNDfYRn9dsQCEwYBhgL/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Shirting blocks...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymeigs-hqwU/WYYRqym_c3I/AAAAAAAAJ_0/8B6Lz3108n0W0SVGzfTpvLt6hX1DqasJQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ymeigs-hqwU/WYYRqym_c3I/AAAAAAAAJ_0/8B6Lz3108n0W0SVGzfTpvLt6hX1DqasJQCEwYBhgL/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The new border I added. &nbsp;Free-hand feathers...no computer or pantogragh used...just me and my machine. &nbsp;They aren't the prettiest, but I sure have fun doing them!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Au5TA_2-k/WYYRsGcwblI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/x4-8ZdkV61ontvRoMMJZJKRc4TwN9si4gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_4Au5TA_2-k/WYYRsGcwblI/AAAAAAAAJ_4/x4-8ZdkV61ontvRoMMJZJKRc4TwN9si4gCEwYBhgL/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbT-HCbMyUo/WYYRsAjPgZI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/GnhWMHzZ02wAgghltjBrRAbZL5lwVgYPgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JbT-HCbMyUo/WYYRsAjPgZI/AAAAAAAAJ_8/GnhWMHzZ02wAgghltjBrRAbZL5lwVgYPgCEwYBhgL/s640/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The back...shows the "figure 8's" and the "loops" that I used to quilt the blocks...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlL0sVjkQGI/WYYRnJ2GsDI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/a8b3TMdzqIg_WvlVMk36yHG9FbCRAtJgwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bback1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FlL0sVjkQGI/WYYRnJ2GsDI/AAAAAAAAJ_c/a8b3TMdzqIg_WvlVMk36yHG9FbCRAtJgwCEwYBhgL/s400/Annette%2527s%2Bquilt%2Bback1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I hope the recipient will like it! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-61765794875666215962017-07-15T15:39:00.001-04:002017-07-15T15:39:13.464-04:00And Here it is July...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8paeV2vSnzI/WWptUvvEF6I/AAAAAAAAJzM/26mWxO9miqg4VkKhr0sYQxSY3Py2ASItQCLcBGAs/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="369" data-original-width="500" height="295" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8paeV2vSnzI/WWptUvvEF6I/AAAAAAAAJzM/26mWxO9miqg4VkKhr0sYQxSY3Py2ASItQCLcBGAs/s400/giphy.gif" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Knock knock...anybody still there??? &nbsp;Sorry it's been so long since my last post but...well...you know...LIFE!!! &nbsp; I've been sewing my little heart out, but basically couldn't post anything because they've all be gifts!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The first of these items has been gifted today to my daughter who is due with a girl mid-August. &nbsp;Today is her baby shower, which I couldn't attend, but I mailed her the items. &nbsp;Hopefully, by the time I get this post done, she will have opened the gifts and I won't be ruining the surprise by posting on here.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>She said she is planning a "Native American" themed nursery, so I saw pictures of this quilt pattern online and fell in love with it! &nbsp;HOWEVER...it is paper-pieced and I had NEVER done paper-piecing before!!! &nbsp;I watched a video online (isn't the internet GREAT???) and then dove right in! &nbsp;This was made ENTIRELY from stash. &nbsp;The pattern is called "My Tribe" and is in the book <u>Intentional Piecing</u> by Amy Friend. &nbsp;I quilted it on my Tin Lizzie18 sit-down long-arm machine...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-po57S_81E0E/WWppHQBi9gI/AAAAAAAAJyY/1Hqj5etdfm0OpOpbo1bUuXL8vNSR75v2QCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2BTribe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-po57S_81E0E/WWppHQBi9gI/AAAAAAAAJyY/1Hqj5etdfm0OpOpbo1bUuXL8vNSR75v2QCLcBGAs/s640/My%2BTribe1.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br /><b>The original pattern didn't have the flying geese blocks at the top and the bottom, but I wanted the quilt slightly larger than the pattern. &nbsp;I used my Accuquilt GO flying geese die to make a row to add to the top and bottom. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acjNQBJ4ZCQ/WWppJ5qzy3I/AAAAAAAAJyk/XC7YGtTqlJUlq-tzqNqt4LwEJkatZFR_QCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-acjNQBJ4ZCQ/WWppJ5qzy3I/AAAAAAAAJyk/XC7YGtTqlJUlq-tzqNqt4LwEJkatZFR_QCLcBGAs/s640/My%2Btribe2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJZ-jPVYVfQ/WWppJ4dCQFI/AAAAAAAAJyo/eQ1LaWevF-A2AQQa_3RvAMr6N8mu2xNVACLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jJZ-jPVYVfQ/WWppJ4dCQFI/AAAAAAAAJyo/eQ1LaWevF-A2AQQa_3RvAMr6N8mu2xNVACLcBGAs/s400/My%2Btribe3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vF--bnWN1nw/WWppLDqWOuI/AAAAAAAAJyw/w9xKB218zN80jGNR8_19taysYsk404H2wCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vF--bnWN1nw/WWppLDqWOuI/AAAAAAAAJyw/w9xKB218zN80jGNR8_19taysYsk404H2wCLcBGAs/s400/My%2Btribe4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN5rU2P4O-A/WWppMNorBBI/AAAAAAAAJy4/bnO-XZz_S1cd6_wSAHelV1pQ5Kuer6vPgCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zN5rU2P4O-A/WWppMNorBBI/AAAAAAAAJy4/bnO-XZz_S1cd6_wSAHelV1pQ5Kuer6vPgCLcBGAs/s400/My%2Btribe5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>The backing was pieced out of some yardage in my stash...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrpjqltkZzI/WWppHr8eg-I/AAAAAAAAJyg/h-ZxmNNMTm8PN18ZgxWgtA0pepLBJOY3wCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe%2Bback1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1289" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VrpjqltkZzI/WWppHr8eg-I/AAAAAAAAJyg/h-ZxmNNMTm8PN18ZgxWgtA0pepLBJOY3wCLcBGAs/s640/My%2Btribe%2Bback1.jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmQCdVToorI/WWppHs9DZJI/AAAAAAAAJyc/_pdlx_SzfT0cZSeGlgORK9VWZh1KS1prwCLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe%2Bback2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xmQCdVToorI/WWppHs9DZJI/AAAAAAAAJyc/_pdlx_SzfT0cZSeGlgORK9VWZh1KS1prwCLcBGAs/s640/My%2Btribe%2Bback2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>I decided to hand-write the label instead of machine embroidering it this time. &nbsp;The name was left blank because they haven't settled on the final name, yet. &nbsp;This way they can write the name in when the baby is named. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIFjNht4-Os/WWppKFeE-YI/AAAAAAAAJys/Tgvt8KR62BA2HcA69QnNjttmn0T_iec6ACLcBGAs/s1600/My%2Btribe%2Blabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIFjNht4-Os/WWppKFeE-YI/AAAAAAAAJys/Tgvt8KR62BA2HcA69QnNjttmn0T_iec6ACLcBGAs/s400/My%2Btribe%2Blabel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>As is also my tradition for new grandbabies...I made 3 double-sided flannel receiving blankets and crocheted around the edges...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqzSpY49vTk/WWppM5jaiVI/AAAAAAAAJzA/4WmOMMAL9pUAnDdavTkHmIDs1ZIq34unQCLcBGAs/s1600/Receiving%2Bblanket3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gqzSpY49vTk/WWppM5jaiVI/AAAAAAAAJzA/4WmOMMAL9pUAnDdavTkHmIDs1ZIq34unQCLcBGAs/s400/Receiving%2Bblanket3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaPe_dvZL2w/WWppLgrFJ7I/AAAAAAAAJy0/Lx5ygBqCS2MSpluN0QPabFnaSWX9vyFgACEwYBhgL/s1600/Receiving%2Bblanket1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1290" data-original-width="1600" height="321" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VaPe_dvZL2w/WWppLgrFJ7I/AAAAAAAAJy0/Lx5ygBqCS2MSpluN0QPabFnaSWX9vyFgACEwYBhgL/s400/Receiving%2Bblanket1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3UIpQoDDUs/WWppMQ6saiI/AAAAAAAAJy8/-zqx7bsyEW0Kc2wXQjnTStsAZE97ji20QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Receiving%2Bblanket2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1600" height="383" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I3UIpQoDDUs/WWppMQ6saiI/AAAAAAAAJy8/-zqx7bsyEW0Kc2wXQjnTStsAZE97ji20QCEwYBhgL/s400/Receiving%2Bblanket2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>I make matching double-sided burp cloths out of the leftover flannel...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9e3JRBYO6c/WWpqgyuDWXI/AAAAAAAAJzE/AuXtIDvDposml5-_667vuheynv_6I52TwCLcBGAs/s1600/burp%2Bcloths1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="770" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f9e3JRBYO6c/WWpqgyuDWXI/AAAAAAAAJzE/AuXtIDvDposml5-_667vuheynv_6I52TwCLcBGAs/s400/burp%2Bcloths1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-56694659655085059742017-04-24T14:24:00.001-04:002017-04-24T14:24:43.442-04:00April Updates...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsyITyblbzg/WP49IA2-PlI/AAAAAAAAJcg/f8lOVVMGGscmeuwzZLNlE0J73qt6bXqywCLcB/s1600/quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tsyITyblbzg/WP49IA2-PlI/AAAAAAAAJcg/f8lOVVMGGscmeuwzZLNlE0J73qt6bXqywCLcB/s400/quilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Betcha thought I had dropped off the face of the earth!!! &nbsp;No such luck for you all! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I've been busy with my "shoulder to the wheel" and "my nose to grindstone". &nbsp;However, I've found it difficult to work in that position!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I begin my new position at work on May 8th. &nbsp;This has been in the works since January, but I was just waiting for the powers-that-be to move me into the position. &nbsp;I will be leaving "bedside nursing" and going over to the Patient Evaluation Center at the same hospital I've worked at now for 19 months. &nbsp;The "PEC" is the dept. that contacts patients before procedures to make sure that all labs, tests, etc., are done, and if they aren't, we have some clinics where the patient can come in and be seen and get them done. &nbsp;It is the job of PEC to make sure that there are no gaps that would cause the procedure to be delayed or cancelled when they come into the hospital for their procedure.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>My career started out with 11 years in ICU/CCU and then 23 years in PACU (Surgery Recovery Room). &nbsp;I have loved my PACU years, but my knee and back just can't take that kind of nursing anymore. &nbsp;I loved PACU nursing because, in most cases, I could "fix" my patients problems. &nbsp;They would come to me anxious, sleepy, in pain, and sometimes nauseated. &nbsp;In most cases, I could "fix" those problems and then send the patient on their way. &nbsp;I liked the "short-term" relationship, rather than the "long-term" relationship that we had with patients in ICU/CCU...sometimes they were there for months! &nbsp;And I liked that I could see a difference in the patient from the time I got them to the time, 1-3 hours later, when they left you. &nbsp;Job satisfaction!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>But my doctors have been telling me for the last 5 years or so that I need to get into a job where I'm not on my feet on the cement floors all the time, and where I'm not lifting/pulling up patients, or pushing beds. &nbsp;(Cement floors are horrible for arthritis.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I think my long-term experience in PACU will help me prepare and educate patients for what to expect of their experience.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Now...onto the quilting updates....</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The Tuxedo quilt is in the hand-quilting frame and I've started working on it. &nbsp;In fact, I've already turned the quilt in the frame once already! &nbsp;I can reach about 10-12" into the quilt from the edge of the frame, so that means that I'm already that far into the quilt. &nbsp;Well...actually, I'm almost finished with the second 10-12" and will soon be turning once more!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gj28ITJqVhg/WP48_pjERSI/AAAAAAAAJck/b0op-vUfdtAbd8KBoP-j9eQG_T_J10ljwCEw/s1600/quilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gj28ITJqVhg/WP48_pjERSI/AAAAAAAAJck/b0op-vUfdtAbd8KBoP-j9eQG_T_J10ljwCEw/s640/quilt3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgvLghLdTZk/WP49AMVwGAI/AAAAAAAAJck/KPWQ630BURQD87DQeZUrg4YkSqBmNX9rwCEw/s1600/quilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UgvLghLdTZk/WP49AMVwGAI/AAAAAAAAJck/KPWQ630BURQD87DQeZUrg4YkSqBmNX9rwCEw/s400/quilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO5XAgQiqcM/WP49ARVNLDI/AAAAAAAAJck/LkzlFS2Y3TAhxodI77vmPIaucRKJD5hPACEw/s1600/quilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JO5XAgQiqcM/WP49ARVNLDI/AAAAAAAAJck/LkzlFS2Y3TAhxodI77vmPIaucRKJD5hPACEw/s400/quilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLjh8FcDc-w/WP49ArG6QoI/AAAAAAAAJck/Gt-RBoi2ALEjiL0xU4z7VErfZM8sseAKQCEw/s1600/quilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HLjh8FcDc-w/WP49ArG6QoI/AAAAAAAAJck/Gt-RBoi2ALEjiL0xU4z7VErfZM8sseAKQCEw/s400/quilt6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I've also started on a quilt that will be a gift...so I can't actually show it to you...but I can show you bits and pieces!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taQ7FtdYbyc/WP48_VQDSlI/AAAAAAAAJck/sx3L10gMhEwmaUgMKKnP4VeWCAY4vPbTwCEw/s1600/quilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taQ7FtdYbyc/WP48_VQDSlI/AAAAAAAAJck/sx3L10gMhEwmaUgMKKnP4VeWCAY4vPbTwCEw/s400/quilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>Once the quilt is gifted, I'll be able to show you real pics!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-81814427604269555632017-03-27T21:54:00.000-04:002017-03-27T21:54:57.580-04:00It's a "Flimsy"...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fTGqZrhh1vw/WNm_y8Rt1MI/AAAAAAAAJYk/k6ZlHlBrhOck-RdNWGXC4WR7KufIcxBqwCEw/s1600/born_to_quilt_mouse_pad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fTGqZrhh1vw/WNm_y8Rt1MI/AAAAAAAAJYk/k6ZlHlBrhOck-RdNWGXC4WR7KufIcxBqwCEw/s400/born_to_quilt_mouse_pad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>I've been working on the "Tuxedo Quilt" since January and it is finally a top...or "flimsy", as quilters call it! &nbsp;Tomorrow I am going to go buy a stencil for the border, and then after marking it, I'll be loading it into my frame so I can start with the hand-quilting. &nbsp;I went ahead and loaded the backing into the frame today.</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kvxy8v7MVQ/WNm_zf4OR0I/AAAAAAAAJY0/vKrqE0ivVxE6gTUQWAvXv92HHOu79Y9BgCEw/s1600/Tuxedo%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4kvxy8v7MVQ/WNm_zf4OR0I/AAAAAAAAJY0/vKrqE0ivVxE6gTUQWAvXv92HHOu79Y9BgCEw/s640/Tuxedo%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCp_FfTy0lI/WNm_zox7IHI/AAAAAAAAJY0/ipZL0TX2kV8USI25Vy606Z7qzQ98K53ngCEw/s1600/tuxedo%2Bquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iCp_FfTy0lI/WNm_zox7IHI/AAAAAAAAJY0/ipZL0TX2kV8USI25Vy606Z7qzQ98K53ngCEw/s400/tuxedo%2Bquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The "black" fabric looks solid from a distance, but this is what it looks like up close...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhtSDQZzNnU/WNm_pv0bXtI/AAAAAAAAJY0/QULHyw5x10wOMmGOwstlODCEzv1GamP6QCEw/s1600/Large_0472473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhtSDQZzNnU/WNm_pv0bXtI/AAAAAAAAJY0/QULHyw5x10wOMmGOwstlODCEzv1GamP6QCEw/s400/Large_0472473.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>The white is a tone-on-tone with a swirl design in it, too.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>This is the backing fabric I chose...fancy but whimsical...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRTMSRZuVUA/WNm_nLcQHsI/AAAAAAAAJY0/xy6sSy_IMMMa0ytG1_ydnSWSKyyU5OaewCEw/s1600/Large_0472692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRTMSRZuVUA/WNm_nLcQHsI/AAAAAAAAJY0/xy6sSy_IMMMa0ytG1_ydnSWSKyyU5OaewCEw/s400/Large_0472692.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I'm planning on entering this quilt in next year's quilt show in April! &nbsp;:) &nbsp; It measures 97" x 107" and is a variation of the "Hunter's Star" pattern. &nbsp;It was designed with EQ7 and cut out completely on my Accuquilt using the Hunter's Star die.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-37750550091638416402017-03-08T12:34:00.000-05:002017-03-08T13:16:14.929-05:00Please Help if You Are Able...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>No funny quotes or snips today...only seriousness and a heavy heart as s</b><b>adness grips Andy's and my heart this week. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Last Friday a good friend had a massive heart attack and is in a coma on life support. &nbsp;Ron is Andy's best friend and was the Best Man at our wedding. &nbsp;Ron is the person that got Andy to move to California...which is where he and I met, so I guess you could say Ron is the reason Andy &amp; I met! &nbsp;(Andy &amp; Ron were childhood friends from Maine.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Andy (left) and Ronnie (right) at our wedding</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQKxhLOsvrw/WMA962LZPZI/AAAAAAAAJV8/20PUwF2NHh0cCG8klAZITxnOlAo9z2LpQCLcB/s1600/Ronnie5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQKxhLOsvrw/WMA962LZPZI/AAAAAAAAJV8/20PUwF2NHh0cCG8klAZITxnOlAo9z2LpQCLcB/s400/Ronnie5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>Ronnie holding 4 month old Erin</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVvSgcB-35c/WMA97EVdoCI/AAAAAAAAJWA/NjNyfPdn5OIhFMxgdtGMBak2BMJsfMsIwCEw/s1600/Ronnie6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RVvSgcB-35c/WMA97EVdoCI/AAAAAAAAJWA/NjNyfPdn5OIhFMxgdtGMBak2BMJsfMsIwCEw/s640/Ronnie6.jpg" width="456" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Our children call him "Uncle Ronnie" and his wife "Aunt Paulette", even though there is no direct familial connection. &nbsp;Actually...when the kids were first beginning to talk, they called him "Uncle Macaroni"...because "Ronnie" sounded like "macaroni" to them. &nbsp;LOL</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>But that was a long time ago. &nbsp;Now he on life support with a VERY poor prognosis.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Andy left this morning to go to see him at the hospital in Virginia. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The reason I'm posting this is because a GoFundMe page has been set up for Ron's family to help with medical expenses and possible/probable upcoming funeral expenses. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>ANY amount...no matter how large or how small...that you feel led to donate will be appreciated. &nbsp;Five dollars might be a small amount by itself, but joined with others, will make a huge impact. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Here's the link: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-ron-campbells-needs" target="_blank">https://www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-for-ron-campbells-needs</a></b><br /><br /><b>I'm asking for your help...not for us, but for his family. &nbsp;(BTW, you won't see our donation listed on the site because Andy took our check down to Paulette today when he went to the hospital...so I'm not asking you to do anything that we haven't already done ourselves.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-4hKZWsZrg/WMA96ni_5KI/AAAAAAAAJV4/RS7jTWiFSP4Z7bcMEy1r8lm5tDxYxkqSwCEw/s1600/Ronnie2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f-4hKZWsZrg/WMA96ni_5KI/AAAAAAAAJV4/RS7jTWiFSP4Z7bcMEy1r8lm5tDxYxkqSwCEw/s400/Ronnie2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1j7AMBCNpQ/WMA96o1baHI/AAAAAAAAJV0/9Zv4UIcHKpQM32td-LWaOtrWi4rjo3ePgCEw/s1600/Ronnie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1j7AMBCNpQ/WMA96o1baHI/AAAAAAAAJV0/9Zv4UIcHKpQM32td-LWaOtrWi4rjo3ePgCEw/s640/Ronnie3.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JQcOuGzCoU/WMA96g8qqMI/AAAAAAAAJVw/UlmKB-T5EB84lFnZ-B3tvfhWxzilE40GACEw/s1600/Ronnie1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JQcOuGzCoU/WMA96g8qqMI/AAAAAAAAJVw/UlmKB-T5EB84lFnZ-B3tvfhWxzilE40GACEw/s640/Ronnie1.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Thank you all in advance!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-32016612731866489722017-03-05T15:08:00.001-05:002017-03-05T15:08:36.950-05:00January 2017...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvhb88hdKMw/WLxpZ1WVOiI/AAAAAAAAJUI/Udsc6g5GLMQNf5Ygof_q5akGrHR3vvitwCLcB/s1600/Can--t-You-See-I--m-Busy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Qvhb88hdKMw/WLxpZ1WVOiI/AAAAAAAAJUI/Udsc6g5GLMQNf5Ygof_q5akGrHR3vvitwCLcB/s400/Can--t-You-See-I--m-Busy.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Wow! &nbsp;It's been WAY TOOOOOO LONG since my last blog post. &nbsp;So I'm going to do a review of January in this post. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Our daughter turned 30 in January, so we traveled to Tennessee to celebrate it with her. &nbsp;&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>We got to spend a little time with our grandchildren, Sera and Clark.</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JnqqYn5AA04/WLxpb2ZxcUI/AAAAAAAAJUg/Pbt6EgeQo70AEKAhVC-eRqS42yEihJwwQCEw/s1600/tennessee4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JnqqYn5AA04/WLxpb2ZxcUI/AAAAAAAAJUg/Pbt6EgeQo70AEKAhVC-eRqS42yEihJwwQCEw/s640/tennessee4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Just a boy and his grandpa...</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ--2g5veAE/WLxpbEkYBTI/AAAAAAAAJUw/qXzalV5VYJoJ37yCZAVDxUltplYLxR1PACEw/s1600/tennessee2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sQ--2g5veAE/WLxpbEkYBTI/AAAAAAAAJUw/qXzalV5VYJoJ37yCZAVDxUltplYLxR1PACEw/s640/tennessee2.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M40TX99glE/WLxpdLEiwlI/AAAAAAAAJUk/--vUJYfc-twjs1zD4NsrW8hLfTJbeu62wCEw/s1600/tennessee3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M40TX99glE/WLxpdLEiwlI/AAAAAAAAJUk/--vUJYfc-twjs1zD4NsrW8hLfTJbeu62wCEw/s640/tennessee3.jpg" width="576" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I don't know if I had mentioned it in a previous post, but our daughter is pregnant with her third child...due in August!!! &nbsp; I have picked out the quilt I'm going to make based on her nursery theme. &nbsp;HOWEVER...it is a paper-pieced pattern...and I don't know how to paper-piece...so I guess I've gotta learn over the next few weeks! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>When we travel to visit our children we take Ginger with us. &nbsp;She loves to take trips with us and goes wild when we pull out the suitcases to start packing. &nbsp;It's almost impossible to keep her OUT of the car at that point! &nbsp;We throw her bed on the back seat &nbsp;and she jumps right in and settles down.</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-44b-FZ1L0/WLxpadU7PaI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/iatdLocebQEjWtQpxKJc2tC_A02EGQCugCEw/s1600/Ginger%2Btravelling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D-44b-FZ1L0/WLxpadU7PaI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/iatdLocebQEjWtQpxKJc2tC_A02EGQCugCEw/s400/Ginger%2Btravelling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>On the quilting front, I started the black and white quilt that I call "Tuxedo"...but I'll post on that in the next post. &nbsp;For now I'd like to tell you about some great customer service I received from Fiskars. &nbsp;Several years ago I purchased one of their rotating mats for squaring up quilt blocks. &nbsp;Over time it developed deep groves and lost its "self-healing" quality. &nbsp;Someone on one of the Facebook quilting groups was talking about Fiskars lifetime warranty and that they had replaced a rotary cutter of hers. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Since my mat was basically unusable anymore because of the deep groves that trapped the rotary blade when I would try to use it, I decided to go to their website and fill out a warranty for and email it to them...with pictures.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>You can see the groves in the mat here...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEd7i5eBpc/WLxph9DkKTI/AAAAAAAAJUw/jXQaGNmUp1Q2jO1VQsw3cZZ8FYwgIjmVwCEw/s1600/IMG_20170211_163647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kbEd7i5eBpc/WLxph9DkKTI/AAAAAAAAJUw/jXQaGNmUp1Q2jO1VQsw3cZZ8FYwgIjmVwCEw/s640/IMG_20170211_163647.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap7mjnBoEe8/WLxpas6R67I/AAAAAAAAJUU/18Rc0wt1Yfk04DPPFSPDjCR3R3Bt7kUQgCLcB/s1600/fiskars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ap7mjnBoEe8/WLxpas6R67I/AAAAAAAAJUU/18Rc0wt1Yfk04DPPFSPDjCR3R3Bt7kUQgCLcB/s640/fiskars.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>Within 3 days they got back to me saying they had received my claim. &nbsp;About 2 days later, I got an email saying my replacement mat was being mailed out and I received it about a week later!!! &nbsp;How's that for customer service? &nbsp;LOVE IT!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zYL_RZDrV0/WLxuqItD2DI/AAAAAAAAJU4/W3sjsiTN48kPOsLFS-XAVYV7UqxVbnxvQCLcB/s1600/Fiskars2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2zYL_RZDrV0/WLxuqItD2DI/AAAAAAAAJU4/W3sjsiTN48kPOsLFS-XAVYV7UqxVbnxvQCLcB/s400/Fiskars2.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-58041856757940418672017-01-15T12:59:00.000-05:002017-01-15T12:59:15.560-05:00Ooooops...I Did It Again...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;">Blessed are the children of the piecemakers for they shall inherit the quilts"</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;">~author unknown</span></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><br /></span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><br /></span></span></b><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>I have two finishes to share today...but one of them was completely finished in December and should have been listed in the last post as a 2016 finish. &nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>This one...what I call "Shades of Brown"...</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>When I got my new Tin Lizzie sit-down machine in December, I wanted to take it for a test run but didn't have a quilt sandwiched and ready to go. &nbsp;Besides, I really didn't want to use a "real quilt" for the test run. &nbsp;Fortunately, I had this quilt sandwich in my stash...something that was in a tote of fabric I purchased one time. &nbsp;It's not my colors and it really wasn't pieced very accurately, so I don't know why I didn't just pitch it...but I'm glad I didn't.</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>I pulled it out and just did some outline quilting and meandering on it to get the feel of my new machine...</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwgctaL5y3g/WHuxwjOSJXI/AAAAAAAAJGk/w9ZaK3yvlM8duDW_NhD6T6J6r3b8fl8rACLcB/s1600/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwgctaL5y3g/WHuxwjOSJXI/AAAAAAAAJGk/w9ZaK3yvlM8duDW_NhD6T6J6r3b8fl8rACLcB/s640/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown1.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agbbyNF4kq4/WHuxwwHg_PI/AAAAAAAAJGg/39cGX8WjMmM-Nj2tV9FExfTdpgqGzuJLwCLcB/s1600/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-agbbyNF4kq4/WHuxwwHg_PI/AAAAAAAAJGg/39cGX8WjMmM-Nj2tV9FExfTdpgqGzuJLwCLcB/s640/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EJpjDbND9k/WHuxxvNx6QI/AAAAAAAAJGo/bo34zUw8TV0DrACxaDCI8aoVVt4sBu-YACLcB/s1600/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1EJpjDbND9k/WHuxxvNx6QI/AAAAAAAAJGo/bo34zUw8TV0DrACxaDCI8aoVVt4sBu-YACLcB/s640/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8guWVmgWNc/WHuxwpwYrlI/AAAAAAAAJGc/7Lt505g1ATEKNF9aJ7ZBOh6AELEyLdc1QCLcB/s1600/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown%2Bback1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R8guWVmgWNc/WHuxwpwYrlI/AAAAAAAAJGc/7Lt505g1ATEKNF9aJ7ZBOh6AELEyLdc1QCLcB/s640/Shades%2Bof%2BBrown%2Bback1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Nxpz_Y4Jg/WHuxxqoEC1I/AAAAAAAAJGs/TnIn4V2sRI4i_ySwG9FpK4x0gVwxPjqcgCLcB/s1600/Shades%2Bof%2Bbrown%2Bback2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l3Nxpz_Y4Jg/WHuxxqoEC1I/AAAAAAAAJGs/TnIn4V2sRI4i_ySwG9FpK4x0gVwxPjqcgCLcB/s640/Shades%2Bof%2Bbrown%2Bback2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>It turned out pretty well because I was able to "quilt out" the inaccuracies and able to make it lay flat. &nbsp;It's just a throw size, so I decided that I will send it off to Quilts For Kids (<a href="http://quiltsforkids.org/">quiltsforkids.org</a>). &nbsp;It will make a nice quilt for a boy and hopefully help him feel loved.</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>The second quilt was A-L-M-O-S-T completed in 2016...I had to finish up about 1.5 hours of machine binding on Jan. 1, 2017. &nbsp;So "technically" it is a 2017 finish. &nbsp;It was the second quilt I completed on the Tin Lizzie!</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>My grandson, Clark, turns three this June and I have a tradition of making the grandkids a "big bed" (twin) quilt for their third birthday. &nbsp;Clark is all about Superman and Batman...but more about Superman...so I made him a Superman quilt. &nbsp;I designed it myself using EQ7, so if anyone who uses EQ7 is interested in the pattern, I can send you the file.</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcr1Xaqo03E/WHuxzc6BwhI/AAAAAAAAJHM/wWZ_Btqg4CYsdpdCFH2hF0GWV7JT8IehACEw/s1600/Superman1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wcr1Xaqo03E/WHuxzc6BwhI/AAAAAAAAJHM/wWZ_Btqg4CYsdpdCFH2hF0GWV7JT8IehACEw/s400/Superman1.jpg" width="365" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Close-up of the quilting...</b></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIQh60jHGpk/WHuxzrFp8nI/AAAAAAAAJHM/P4KCj6j5Va0zHKQMI6OS51rCns6kubNegCEw/s1600/Superman2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CIQh60jHGpk/WHuxzrFp8nI/AAAAAAAAJHM/P4KCj6j5Va0zHKQMI6OS51rCns6kubNegCEw/s400/Superman2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>The Superman fabric that is the center of the star blocks and the border...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2a-mBeE8sA/WHu0_VuCPCI/AAAAAAAAJHU/eza2uIRJSCksrcm6kvLfmhJ4j13dGz3nACLcB/s1600/Superman3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q2a-mBeE8sA/WHu0_VuCPCI/AAAAAAAAJHU/eza2uIRJSCksrcm6kvLfmhJ4j13dGz3nACLcB/s400/Superman3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>I like to use up the left-over fabrics to piece the back because I'm really trying to clean out my stash. &nbsp;By the time I've made a quilt, I've tired of the fabric...so this way I get to use it up and move it out!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>BUT...I had let Batman make a showing on the quilt, too...he's on the back...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90vOsm4yhic/WHuxxyBHSzI/AAAAAAAAJHM/510M4uYJClksswamRVis9OgwqMK1hpqEACEw/s1600/Superman%2Bback1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-90vOsm4yhic/WHuxxyBHSzI/AAAAAAAAJHM/510M4uYJClksswamRVis9OgwqMK1hpqEACEw/s400/Superman%2Bback1.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Close-up of the quilting on the back...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeGvvVAmVLA/WHuxyQ4ft9I/AAAAAAAAJHM/3guSGoevMI8V1diY9__EfpER0umYRdLegCEw/s1600/Superman%2Bback2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CeGvvVAmVLA/WHuxyQ4ft9I/AAAAAAAAJHM/3guSGoevMI8V1diY9__EfpER0umYRdLegCEw/s400/Superman%2Bback2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oVZN9smxrM/WHuxya0e-lI/AAAAAAAAJHM/cIZrNOY2UlMFR6uVZZzSMuxN3EAv3KSMACEw/s1600/Superman%2Bback3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4oVZN9smxrM/WHuxya0e-lI/AAAAAAAAJHM/cIZrNOY2UlMFR6uVZZzSMuxN3EAv3KSMACEw/s400/Superman%2Bback3.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><b>I don't have a good camera, so it's hard to get a good picture of the label...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw0mk4CugX0/WHuxznck7AI/AAAAAAAAJHM/mlF6C5sRH1gQvZuaeKH4tPL0wEWZT6F_gCEw/s1600/superman%2Blabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="351" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw0mk4CugX0/WHuxznck7AI/AAAAAAAAJHM/mlF6C5sRH1gQvZuaeKH4tPL0wEWZT6F_gCEw/s400/superman%2Blabel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b>I do have plenty of Superman fabric leftover, so I think I'll make another quick quilt using it and send it to Quilts for Kids, too. &nbsp;You know...to get rid of the fabric! &nbsp;</b></span><br /><span style="background-color: ivory; font-size: 15.6px;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: ivory;"><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></span></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-73382462689737444942017-01-05T19:27:00.000-05:002017-01-05T19:27:57.447-05:002016 (Quilt) Year in Review...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">"Make this year so amazing that last year gets jealous!"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">~author unknown</span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Thought I'd do a "year in review" about the quilts I've made/finished in 2016...mainly to refresh my own memory! &nbsp;</b><b>I know that I should have done this post before the 5th of January...but...well...you know...whatever...</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>It looks like my first completion was the quilt I made for my sister, Bev..."Cottage Blossoms"</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LteS8uu6qc/WG7YcsXNS0I/AAAAAAAAJB0/_xQ4T3J7k-s_7ydOPjbzDl5RkLWH_JizgCLcB/s1600/Bev%2527s%2Bquilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5LteS8uu6qc/WG7YcsXNS0I/AAAAAAAAJB0/_xQ4T3J7k-s_7ydOPjbzDl5RkLWH_JizgCLcB/s400/Bev%2527s%2Bquilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>My sister is so adorable that I'm going to post two pictures of her quilt so you can see her with it, too! &nbsp;😊</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SB3u0yPw_64/WG7YcRoYfPI/AAAAAAAAJBw/VfzwQl6PgZQfIrKbfvExxP1A4r6UALYpQCLcB/s1600/Bev%2527s%2Bquilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SB3u0yPw_64/WG7YcRoYfPI/AAAAAAAAJBw/VfzwQl6PgZQfIrKbfvExxP1A4r6UALYpQCLcB/s400/Bev%2527s%2Bquilt6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>The second completion was the "Ugly Quilt"...this was a quilt top that was in a bag of quilt tops that was given to me by a friend...I think they had been made by her mom who had passed away. &nbsp;Anyway, this one had soooooooooooooo many issues (stains, not laying flat, wide seam allowances, raveling fabric, etc., etc., etc.) that I was going to toss it...actually had it hovering over the trash can...when I decided to sandwich it and use it for "practice" while I took online free-motion quilting classes. &nbsp;It is now a good utility quilt...something to take to the park, game, camping, etc. &nbsp;It is warm and has been quilted to within an inch of its life...so feel free to abuse it! &nbsp;LOL</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrBPpSeQFrc/WG7ZeLESXAI/AAAAAAAAJB4/QJUxrArMnTUUr5AG1WQ-N6aF1b9enFL7gCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OrBPpSeQFrc/WG7ZeLESXAI/AAAAAAAAJB4/QJUxrArMnTUUr5AG1WQ-N6aF1b9enFL7gCLcB/s640/5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>Completion #3...Alex's 3 year birthday quilt..." 'I Spy'/Bug Jar Quilt"...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsprHSu1eIw/WG7Zv9UVxaI/AAAAAAAAJCA/LLVOcjkB8b8E6mc5lnAOj4mbAwU58w9ewCLcB/s1600/Alex%2527s%2BJar%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WsprHSu1eIw/WG7Zv9UVxaI/AAAAAAAAJCA/LLVOcjkB8b8E6mc5lnAOj4mbAwU58w9ewCLcB/s640/Alex%2527s%2BJar%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><br /><b>#4...I finished hand-quilting the "Cottage Rose Baskets" quilt....my first time doing big-stitch quilting...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7m2MKFwA2tA/WG7ZwMdxAUI/AAAAAAAAJCE/xgW8U2HWU1w_6OEl89UPnwJQi0tJQfk8QCLcB/s1600/Cottage%2BBasket3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7m2MKFwA2tA/WG7ZwMdxAUI/AAAAAAAAJCE/xgW8U2HWU1w_6OEl89UPnwJQi0tJQfk8QCLcB/s400/Cottage%2BBasket3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Probably the one I am most proud of because not only did I design it using EQ7, it was the one that I was most adventurous with and most satisfied with when it came to the free-motion quilting... Completion #5: &nbsp;"Christmas Stars" made for my son and daughter-in-law...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBRUaGzaulI/WG7a8-ZoHkI/AAAAAAAAJCU/VFWAtIKMI54T1n4XewaW0Ej_OoID6Dn4QCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xBRUaGzaulI/WG7a8-ZoHkI/AAAAAAAAJCU/VFWAtIKMI54T1n4XewaW0Ej_OoID6Dn4QCLcB/s640/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><b>And last, but not least was Completion #6...."Oh Christmas Tree". &nbsp;This quilt was actually started about 3 years ago, but I didn't work on the hand-quilting very often, so it was languishing on the UFO list. &nbsp;I decided to pop it into my hand-quilting frame and had it done in no time... just in time to be hung on the wall. &nbsp;It was our one and only Christmas tree this year...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVoWw1hySc/WG7bKpYe-JI/AAAAAAAAJCY/2v4k8LAdrKQ8hOyctgFo7NHO-aEWiDE9wCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2Btree%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0BVoWw1hySc/WG7bKpYe-JI/AAAAAAAAJCY/2v4k8LAdrKQ8hOyctgFo7NHO-aEWiDE9wCLcB/s640/Christmas%2Btree%2Bquilt.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>This year I have pieced quilt blocks for other projects that I am currently working on, made quilt blocks for our WV Quilt of Valor group, and even ALMOST completed a quilt (I finished up the second half of the binding on January 1st...so unfortunately, it doesn't "count" for 2017!)...but the six listed here are the COMPLETIONS for 2016.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><br /></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-19553925223238064852016-12-18T22:56:00.000-05:002016-12-18T22:56:17.552-05:00Oh Christmas Tree (Quilt)...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLRu5fw3S58/WFdZVYFMp8I/AAAAAAAAI-Q/zZKL_l8IHWY6VCSPYmcIxDnhFc4vUo8pwCLcB/s1600/kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LLRu5fw3S58/WFdZVYFMp8I/AAAAAAAAI-Q/zZKL_l8IHWY6VCSPYmcIxDnhFc4vUo8pwCLcB/s400/kiss.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Well...I put up our Christmas tree today...it took me about 2 minutes...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_otF4RpimU/WFdVzsvFVsI/AAAAAAAAI-E/IqMV1XPikkoKEGZDuZ4VDLUyjyRNqZ5xACLcB/s1600/Christmas%2Btree%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B_otF4RpimU/WFdVzsvFVsI/AAAAAAAAI-E/IqMV1XPikkoKEGZDuZ4VDLUyjyRNqZ5xACLcB/s640/Christmas%2Btree%2Bquilt.jpg" width="506" /></a></div><br /><b>Yeah...this is the extent of my Christmas decorating this year! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Neither of the kids are coming in for Christmas this year, so when that happens we don't bother decorating. &nbsp;Decorating takes time away from quilting...and Andy doesn't mind not having to bring down all the boxes from the attic. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I do get sad when there are no kids or grandchildren here for the holidays, but thankfully, it doesn't happen that often. &nbsp;Our good friends (just happen to be our neighbors, too!) have invited us over for Christmas so we'll be there! &nbsp;:)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b>In other news...the countdown is underway...</b><b>Andy retires in THREE WEEKS!!! &nbsp; It's a little scary but we both are looking forward to it! &nbsp;Him...for obvious reasons. &nbsp;Me...because he has agreed to be my "houseboy" and take care of everything...cleaning, cooking, shopping, etc!!! &nbsp;:D</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>It will be nice to finally get some projects done around the house and property that have been on hold because he hasn't had the time. &nbsp; (Shhhh...don't tell him that I plan on keeping him busier after he retires than he was when working! &nbsp;LOL &nbsp;Our little secret!!!)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-61457928056015203012016-12-07T22:00:00.001-05:002016-12-07T22:00:41.814-05:00My Gift to Myself...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmzXcjhuxjE/WEjGgY7TycI/AAAAAAAAI6c/20RKcVdpbTwm7uzb6SjTF7YgyuNdrpySgCLcB/s1600/4501bed827b056c8198b02822b7fb051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MmzXcjhuxjE/WEjGgY7TycI/AAAAAAAAI6c/20RKcVdpbTwm7uzb6SjTF7YgyuNdrpySgCLcB/s400/4501bed827b056c8198b02822b7fb051.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><b>Guess what Mrs. Claus bought for herself this year???</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nBS1ga7-JcM/WEjGhg6s1JI/AAAAAAAAI6s/CYm40HCFWLQlpds2sC8E1kvyLqdVL-ymgCLcB/s1600/TL4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nBS1ga7-JcM/WEjGhg6s1JI/AAAAAAAAI6s/CYm40HCFWLQlpds2sC8E1kvyLqdVL-ymgCLcB/s400/TL4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>A sit-down long-arm quilting machine!!!! &nbsp;I am over the moon about it!!! &nbsp;I've wanted a sit-down long-arm ever since I first saw Ricky Tims use one a quilting show on TV!!! &nbsp;I don't have the room, the money, or the ability to stand for long periods of time at a traditional long-arm machine, so I've had my eye on a sit-down one for a few years now. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I finally decided that my free-motion quilting was good enough to invest the money. &nbsp;I had been seriously looking at them online for about the last 6 months and had mentioned to Andy that it was getting closer and closer to me having one. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Then on Black Friday, the same company that I had purchased my Juki TL 2000Qi machine that I had been doing my FMQing on put the very machine that I had been eye-balling ON SALE... the TinLizzie18" forward facing sit-down machine.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Well...what was I to do but order one!!! &nbsp;It took 12 days to get here, but it finally arrived yesterday. &nbsp;However, the table didn't come till today. &nbsp;Tonight Andy and I put it together. &nbsp;(Well, mostly Andy...but I supervised!) &nbsp;It was kind of a pain-in-the-arse to put together....and there is still one cover that doesn't fit where it is supposed to, so I need to call tomorrow to get that straightened out...but it is together and running!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XVghdR-Xfo/WEjGgl0bQVI/AAAAAAAAI68/niJc49s-o4sHwZ73_oO5KEP-9J_-QGXrgCEw/s1600/TL1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XVghdR-Xfo/WEjGgl0bQVI/AAAAAAAAI68/niJc49s-o4sHwZ73_oO5KEP-9J_-QGXrgCEw/s400/TL1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBa3NBRLENM/WEjGg05Z2pI/AAAAAAAAI68/aw6t2nafc3shlYcxlSdI-LyEGzLRhT-JwCEw/s1600/TL2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xBa3NBRLENM/WEjGg05Z2pI/AAAAAAAAI68/aw6t2nafc3shlYcxlSdI-LyEGzLRhT-JwCEw/s400/TL2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UliyrRH5s6M/WEjGhIBINiI/AAAAAAAAI68/GmyNBH5oJtM4iHZ5q147h9nGJROg9vzjgCEw/s1600/TL3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UliyrRH5s6M/WEjGhIBINiI/AAAAAAAAI68/GmyNBH5oJtM4iHZ5q147h9nGJROg9vzjgCEw/s400/TL3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>The table has two extensions that flip up with swing-out legs to make the table bigger for larger quilts.</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZthgt0-vhA/WEjGhnz2mCI/AAAAAAAAI68/1tW2-wukj8coMLCCszmBPEkkQrMBFzKsgCEw/s1600/TL5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZthgt0-vhA/WEjGhnz2mCI/AAAAAAAAI68/1tW2-wukj8coMLCCszmBPEkkQrMBFzKsgCEw/s400/TL5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I couldn't wait to try it out so I made a little quilt sandwiched and tried it! &nbsp;It is so FAST and so SMOOTH!!! &nbsp; I had read some reviews that said it was "loud", but I think it is fairly quiet. &nbsp;In fact, I think it is quieter than the Juki was! &nbsp;I can't wait to do a "real" quilt on it!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iervxOufJ4/WEjGh57MsoI/AAAAAAAAI60/PzMgQxZW7EotqGn7ml2uv8p1Bwr6hSfDQCLcB/s1600/TL6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--iervxOufJ4/WEjGh57MsoI/AAAAAAAAI60/PzMgQxZW7EotqGn7ml2uv8p1Bwr6hSfDQCLcB/s400/TL6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>They also have a "front-facing" one that come in a table, too, but that table extends out the back and not out the sides like mine does. &nbsp;That one would cause the table to stick out too far into my sewing room....and it's tight enough in there now with the new machine! &nbsp;:) &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><div><b><br /></b></div></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-78578987682624739882016-12-03T15:29:00.000-05:002016-12-03T15:29:54.205-05:00Christmas Stars Quilt...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bj21Xo6i7o/WEMnsExP7QI/AAAAAAAAI3c/KX3eqaiIaKgZcrkaJ51_i-qOb64vjXcxQCLcB/s1600/quilt%2Bquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2bj21Xo6i7o/WEMnsExP7QI/AAAAAAAAI3c/KX3eqaiIaKgZcrkaJ51_i-qOb64vjXcxQCLcB/s400/quilt%2Bquote.jpg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>When Paul &amp; Trinity were here for Thanksgiving, I gifted them with the Christmas quilt that she had "hinted" for last year! &nbsp;:D</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I named it "Christmas Stars". &nbsp;I designed it myself on EQ7, made it scrappy, and free-motion quilted it on my Juki TL 2000Qi...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>99" x 99"</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFQlAGDJ7FI/WEMnqXsQarI/AAAAAAAAI3A/IcOb1B9iHfQJS3xsROAaQjRczUvg6elNgCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cFQlAGDJ7FI/WEMnqXsQarI/AAAAAAAAI3A/IcOb1B9iHfQJS3xsROAaQjRczUvg6elNgCLcB/s640/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>in the making...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-OUtnLZikI/WEMooPuNZYI/AAAAAAAAI3g/sCc_iiBiNVQxJg9Z_LEt9SCvCgCLiZekQCLcB/s1600/DSCN8492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W-OUtnLZikI/WEMooPuNZYI/AAAAAAAAI3g/sCc_iiBiNVQxJg9Z_LEt9SCvCgCLiZekQCLcB/s400/DSCN8492.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFWEHYdm254/WEMouT2ArcI/AAAAAAAAI3k/WREBJ5Wqq9ou6WEadYq62wISInWaGA3GQCLcB/s1600/DSCN8502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MFWEHYdm254/WEMouT2ArcI/AAAAAAAAI3k/WREBJ5Wqq9ou6WEadYq62wISInWaGA3GQCLcB/s400/DSCN8502.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOAhCzlv6Mk/WEMo1lg4UGI/AAAAAAAAI3o/cgm7syaZzb8786-4XDu0mGJzY8EbuJIqQCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QOAhCzlv6Mk/WEMo1lg4UGI/AAAAAAAAI3o/cgm7syaZzb8786-4XDu0mGJzY8EbuJIqQCLcB/s400/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1kLjgiiYzw/WEMo3cPL0dI/AAAAAAAAI3s/qKSxN96XDy8LZN6YEN1kWRwO-YT7-qgZACLcB/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n1kLjgiiYzw/WEMo3cPL0dI/AAAAAAAAI3s/qKSxN96XDy8LZN6YEN1kWRwO-YT7-qgZACLcB/s400/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b>The middle border was done with 4 different free-handed Christmas tree designs...but for some reason, I don't have a picture of the 4th design. &nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdbgnnc-uh8/WEMpK3pejKI/AAAAAAAAI30/lU7zyzqdxQIXizoEhH1L6sLaUtAuqgewQCLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bstars4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Bdbgnnc-uh8/WEMpK3pejKI/AAAAAAAAI30/lU7zyzqdxQIXizoEhH1L6sLaUtAuqgewQCLcB/s640/christmas%2Bstars4.jpg" width="354" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF8mHZwHbeM/WEMpLG46IeI/AAAAAAAAI38/QtLbKIArvxkQZK8pNUa4BchwObS_NuCrgCLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bstars5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IF8mHZwHbeM/WEMpLG46IeI/AAAAAAAAI38/QtLbKIArvxkQZK8pNUa4BchwObS_NuCrgCLcB/s640/christmas%2Bstars5.jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29WeZwehRSo/WEMpMO_qoZI/AAAAAAAAI4I/mEMw9PdeQzsnoWxvP1Pmx8FlOH9DTPjyACLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bstars8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29WeZwehRSo/WEMpMO_qoZI/AAAAAAAAI4I/mEMw9PdeQzsnoWxvP1Pmx8FlOH9DTPjyACLcB/s640/christmas%2Bstars8.jpg" width="352" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>The outer border was done in free-handed feathers...my first ever without using a stencil!!! &nbsp;I'm pretty happy with them!! &nbsp;:)</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wNpzOG8-Zo/WEMpLJeCnII/AAAAAAAAI34/q3cSaCcW7r0IIlJtARSrROc5PH3WPFDGQCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2Bstars2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7wNpzOG8-Zo/WEMpLJeCnII/AAAAAAAAI34/q3cSaCcW7r0IIlJtARSrROc5PH3WPFDGQCLcB/s640/Christmas%2Bstars2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvatF6lxFxA/WEMpL534UrI/AAAAAAAAI4A/SKPhsY7xxeMDIifJAW8YnOL7suqfb1yJgCLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bstars6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvatF6lxFxA/WEMpL534UrI/AAAAAAAAI4A/SKPhsY7xxeMDIifJAW8YnOL7suqfb1yJgCLcB/s640/christmas%2Bstars6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAREDW4bkPc/WEMpMJs-rwI/AAAAAAAAI4E/pFSAkBlbZRgxuC3xKK24fWSuTTjUnHqGQCLcB/s1600/christmas%2Bstars7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oAREDW4bkPc/WEMpMJs-rwI/AAAAAAAAI4E/pFSAkBlbZRgxuC3xKK24fWSuTTjUnHqGQCLcB/s400/christmas%2Bstars7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I had fun making it and they were quite pleased with it...so all-in-all...it went well!!! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-21141953402215054302016-12-03T15:06:00.001-05:002016-12-03T15:06:51.595-05:00Thanksgiving Update...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;">"<span style="background-color: white;">You’ll never be as lazy as whoever named the fireplace."</span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">~author unknown</span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Our son, Paul, and his wife, Trinity, and sons, Andrew &amp; Alex came in for the week of Thanksgiving!!! &nbsp;We had a GREAT visit! &nbsp;Lots of laughter, conversations, games played, food eaten, and general all-around FUN was had by all!!!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>The boys think Grandpa is their own special playmate because he gets down on the floor and romps around with them! &nbsp;They love to climb on his back and go for piggy-back rides!</b></span></span></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tIcKPEdUSA/WEMiAQk5_FI/AAAAAAAAI2M/-2-ERulzTN8mgpDgQa_VfXjdqO59-q45wCLcB/s1600/thanksgiving12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2tIcKPEdUSA/WEMiAQk5_FI/AAAAAAAAI2M/-2-ERulzTN8mgpDgQa_VfXjdqO59-q45wCLcB/s640/thanksgiving12.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPIQ60HX6TU/WEMiAJE5x-I/AAAAAAAAI2I/mWrHcF3_WLkmin6b8PQtoPFZcPLoazmxQCEw/s1600/thanksgiving11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gPIQ60HX6TU/WEMiAJE5x-I/AAAAAAAAI2I/mWrHcF3_WLkmin6b8PQtoPFZcPLoazmxQCEw/s640/thanksgiving11.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkuKbNbYdgY/WEMh_7GmcOI/AAAAAAAAI2E/JAJK0o1NmNgusXodB-4lwSe7Ior8s7QZACEw/s1600/thanksgiving10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jkuKbNbYdgY/WEMh_7GmcOI/AAAAAAAAI2E/JAJK0o1NmNgusXodB-4lwSe7Ior8s7QZACEw/s640/thanksgiving10.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Thank God we have a great chiropractor who can fix Grandpa up after this abuse!!! &nbsp;LOL</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Trinity is such a great cook and loves to do it, so she made most of our meals during the week and all of the desserts for Thanksgiving! &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew329EhaQ_I/WEMiB4FvSTI/AAAAAAAAI2k/ZOhC0JQ1v2s187vVfiyIN6HVgD4BdQ5iACEw/s1600/thanksgiving7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ew329EhaQ_I/WEMiB4FvSTI/AAAAAAAAI2k/ZOhC0JQ1v2s187vVfiyIN6HVgD4BdQ5iACEw/s640/thanksgiving7.jpg" width="490" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5oywDgkpn8/WEMiBoSjWWI/AAAAAAAAI2g/OLtodHel0R067r-yVbM-2IeJzW6AFwX-wCEw/s1600/thanksgiving6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x5oywDgkpn8/WEMiBoSjWWI/AAAAAAAAI2g/OLtodHel0R067r-yVbM-2IeJzW6AFwX-wCEw/s640/thanksgiving6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Isn't she cute in my vintage apron??? &nbsp;If it hadn't have been for her...we may have all STARVED! &nbsp;LOL &nbsp;;)</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Andrew is 8 and is reading so well now! &nbsp;He loves to pick up anything and read it...books, flyers, advertisements, etc! &nbsp;Trinity says he especially loves to read directions or anything with "steps" to it, e.g. Step 1, Step 2, etc. &nbsp;She says he reads the directions off of boxes to her when she is baking something.</span></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0uoa_OLXSc/WEMh_zkHYTI/AAAAAAAAI2A/DCbu_E2TlqUdhRcT5MGp3HOurgtkH4BPwCEw/s1600/thanksgiving1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L0uoa_OLXSc/WEMh_zkHYTI/AAAAAAAAI2A/DCbu_E2TlqUdhRcT5MGp3HOurgtkH4BPwCEw/s640/thanksgiving1.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpLAFtDvhWI/WEMiCG3tjQI/AAAAAAAAI2o/DRfvnk45NbAFud7cCdwKps31j5Vj7yAugCEw/s1600/thanksgiving8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IpLAFtDvhWI/WEMiCG3tjQI/AAAAAAAAI2o/DRfvnk45NbAFud7cCdwKps31j5Vj7yAugCEw/s400/thanksgiving8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Alex is 3 and does EVERYTHING Andrew does...even repeats everything he says after he says it! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfM2RrgUoTE/WEMiCGfzS5I/AAAAAAAAI2s/BuL13CfCN7wnLR9dyKXxFmUyZUDkIt6wACEw/s1600/thanksgiving9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfM2RrgUoTE/WEMiCGfzS5I/AAAAAAAAI2s/BuL13CfCN7wnLR9dyKXxFmUyZUDkIt6wACEw/s400/thanksgiving9.jpg" width="385" /></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></b></span></div><div><b>But...being 3 is hard work and he passed out shortly after we started watching "Finding Dory" on Thanksgiving evening...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMhAT8NzSy4/WEMiAkBxrCI/AAAAAAAAI2U/cMA7sL4xBhUQqOHnMgX8zXsR8Scl_dlZACEw/s1600/thanksgiving3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMhAT8NzSy4/WEMiAkBxrCI/AAAAAAAAI2U/cMA7sL4xBhUQqOHnMgX8zXsR8Scl_dlZACEw/s400/thanksgiving3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw73TT25pjs/WEMiAvi15SI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/Nmsu2KW91gcy_bchMyZlamd60sAn3YMlACEw/s1600/thanksgiving2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kw73TT25pjs/WEMiAvi15SI/AAAAAAAAI2Q/Nmsu2KW91gcy_bchMyZlamd60sAn3YMlACEw/s640/thanksgiving2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Paul brought his new 357 Magnum with him and took me to do some target practice...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ7YWlkOWK8/WEMiBdTEcfI/AAAAAAAAI2c/zRNVqdqxYAE7gj7S0nk_RX-gvzuM4V__wCEw/s1600/thanksgiving5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UJ7YWlkOWK8/WEMiBdTEcfI/AAAAAAAAI2c/zRNVqdqxYAE7gj7S0nk_RX-gvzuM4V__wCEw/s400/thanksgiving5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-ux5aq1Pw/WEMiA9rWDFI/AAAAAAAAI2Y/jFig86hSv2QJU635__RKNFFKQERC4pRxQCEw/s1600/thanksgiving4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3-ux5aq1Pw/WEMiA9rWDFI/AAAAAAAAI2Y/jFig86hSv2QJU635__RKNFFKQERC4pRxQCEw/s400/thanksgiving4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>All in all...I think everybody had a fun week! &nbsp;I know I did!! &nbsp;:D &nbsp;Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, too!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-27037081223940042552016-11-06T20:27:00.001-05:002016-11-06T20:27:47.935-05:00Just This and That...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4lynR0yemM/WB_S9MuuvnI/AAAAAAAAIqs/bMfYA55xPTIgSg9aRx3xFFB38mAZOh3QwCEw/s1600/vote_early_vote_often.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A4lynR0yemM/WB_S9MuuvnI/AAAAAAAAIqs/bMfYA55xPTIgSg9aRx3xFFB38mAZOh3QwCEw/s400/vote_early_vote_often.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>A friendly reminder that this Tuesday, November 8th, is Election Day here in the USA! &nbsp;I don't know if the election is "rigged" and our "votes don't count" as some people claim, but I refuse to be deterred and will be at the polling place exercising my "right to vote" this Tuesday...and hope you will, too!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>For those of you who have Netflix, <u>The Crown</u>&nbsp;came out this past Friday. &nbsp;I've been looking forward to it since I first saw the trailer for it! &nbsp;</b><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JWtnJjn6ng0/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JWtnJjn6ng0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div><b><br /></b><b>I watched all 10 episodes this weekend while quilting, and boy, oh boy, IT IS GOOD!!! &nbsp;Well acted, excellent scenery/props, and powerful story line!!! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I would recommend watching <u>The King's Speech</u>&nbsp;beforehand, if you haven't already seen it, because it gives the history of events that lead up to Queen Elizabeth even being in line for succession to the Throne and the family dynamics will make more sense to you then. &nbsp;(Great history lesson for those of us Yanks that aren't privy to that history.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>So what was I working on while watching this...???...</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>...twenty more blocks for the West Virginia Chapter of Quilts of Valor...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBnieoPgUcQ/WB_S98Xv6FI/AAAAAAAAIrE/6hhtG6L6K786XdqBCx-RGj6oU5ZYMpWkwCEw/s1600/QOV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GBnieoPgUcQ/WB_S98Xv6FI/AAAAAAAAIrE/6hhtG6L6K786XdqBCx-RGj6oU5ZYMpWkwCEw/s400/QOV.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Sewing/quilting went a little slower for me while watching <u>The Crown</u> because I had to have subtitles on. &nbsp; I can't always understand their English accents...so I would listen when I could, but there were times I had to rely on subtitles...hence, slowing down the rate I was able to quilt. &nbsp;Just be forewarned that the show is VERY interesting, so be prepared to devote some time to actually "watching" it and not just having it on for background noise!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Oh well...at &nbsp;least the time wasn't completely wasted! &nbsp;Twenty blocks is twenty blocks! &nbsp;They will get mailed out to the chapter's coordinator this week.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><b><br /></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-45292381636931630172016-10-24T22:59:00.000-04:002016-10-24T22:59:53.045-04:00Sewing Room Changes...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">"I'm creative. You can't expect me to be neat too."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7;">~author unknown</span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>In September we took a trip to the closest IKEA...which happens to be in Pittsburgh...90 miles away. &nbsp;I needed some things for my sewing room...</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>For about 12 years or so I've had one of the standard cutting tables from JoAnns. &nbsp;Since I'm short, it was always a little taller than it should have been to be ergonomic for me. &nbsp;I used to be 4'11.5" tall, but in the last couple of years I have shrunk...lucky me! &nbsp;(The last time I was measured they told me I was just a little over 4'10"...THAT CAN'T BE RIGHT!!!) &nbsp; I do know that I was having a lot of pain and issues when I would cut out a new quilt, so I decided to get a new, lower table...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_km4JE9BSkI/WA7FynsLK1I/AAAAAAAAInE/oqLGTSERYFA-H4nV4FTrJn0gT5o3bYfxQCLcB/s1600/cutting%2Btable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_km4JE9BSkI/WA7FynsLK1I/AAAAAAAAInE/oqLGTSERYFA-H4nV4FTrJn0gT5o3bYfxQCLcB/s400/cutting%2Btable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNBUjwrCMaI/WA7Fy5BZf7I/AAAAAAAAInM/ALyrsQkhzcwsc9f4CjxwJrermfdgAOQEgCEw/s1600/cutting%2Btable2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eNBUjwrCMaI/WA7Fy5BZf7I/AAAAAAAAInM/ALyrsQkhzcwsc9f4CjxwJrermfdgAOQEgCEw/s400/cutting%2Btable2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>This one is actually one of IKEA's kitchen tables and is standard table height. &nbsp;With both sides extended out like they are in the picture, the table top is 30" x 60". &nbsp;When the sides are down, it is nice and compact which is great because when we have more than 2 people stay the night I do have to use this room as a temporary guest room.&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The other item I purchased from IKEA was this small metal filing cabinet that I turned into my thread storage cabinet. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDauzSxjwGg/WA7GuwHTypI/AAAAAAAAInc/zp3wriIKvR4nENscpeheKuP13tHcp1AEgCLcB/s1600/thread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDauzSxjwGg/WA7GuwHTypI/AAAAAAAAInc/zp3wriIKvR4nENscpeheKuP13tHcp1AEgCLcB/s640/thread1.jpg" width="392" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The drawers are shallow so it neatly holds spools of thread and makes them easy to find. &nbsp;It is on wheels, too, making it easy to move around when needed.</b><br /><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>top three drawers...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWjNodxZzsw/WA7Gvu383zI/AAAAAAAAInk/8UWm3oFvBv0pAO4KZfNCbmFs21iOKe8vgCLcB/s1600/thread2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WWjNodxZzsw/WA7Gvu383zI/AAAAAAAAInk/8UWm3oFvBv0pAO4KZfNCbmFs21iOKe8vgCLcB/s640/thread2.jpg" width="438" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>bottom three drawers...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlYv8TT0khk/WA7GvCUpPTI/AAAAAAAAIng/62xJ4H_2BgUhJ_4uc-PhdbFTyJlZ2FYPACLcB/s1600/thread3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlYv8TT0khk/WA7GvCUpPTI/AAAAAAAAIng/62xJ4H_2BgUhJ_4uc-PhdbFTyJlZ2FYPACLcB/s640/thread3.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>all drawers nicely labeled...</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFKl2Kzydrg/WA7Gv8Af7SI/AAAAAAAAIno/1L39YtA8sqc69vZbX_wcHXNunnOVaHHHQCLcB/s1600/thread4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UFKl2Kzydrg/WA7Gv8Af7SI/AAAAAAAAIno/1L39YtA8sqc69vZbX_wcHXNunnOVaHHHQCLcB/s640/thread4.jpg" width="518" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The thread stays neat, is easily found, and the cabinet tucks away nicely under the end of my ironing board!!! &nbsp;The way my sewing room is set up, all I have to do is turn around in my sewing chair and the thread cabinet is right there! &nbsp;Handy!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Though this next item doesn't have anything to do with IKEA, it is a change-up in my sewing room...</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The cover to my ironing "board"...(a piece of plyboard that Andy made for me that fits snugly over my traditional ironing board)...anyway...the cover was looking NASTY!!! &nbsp;Every few years I need to re-cover it, and the time was NOW. &nbsp;I can't remember the last time I did it, but I know it's been more than 3 years ago. &nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>I meant to take a "before" picture to show how bad it was, but alas...I forgot. &nbsp;:( &nbsp;But take my word for it...it was YUCKY! &nbsp;</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>But now it's so PRETTY!!!</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RufFo7XtPqE/WA7IyxO1Q-I/AAAAAAAAIn4/-Tho0f5cn98p-s2DRPOL5mteV8TRr8ZxwCLcB/s1600/ironing%2Bboard1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RufFo7XtPqE/WA7IyxO1Q-I/AAAAAAAAIn4/-Tho0f5cn98p-s2DRPOL5mteV8TRr8ZxwCLcB/s400/ironing%2Bboard1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCkAFSbNReY/WA7IzENRSoI/AAAAAAAAIn8/P-EGvknmnbMvV0Af8yVEVqAL5D2al4VnQCLcB/s1600/ironing%2Bboard2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TCkAFSbNReY/WA7IzENRSoI/AAAAAAAAIn8/P-EGvknmnbMvV0Af8yVEVqAL5D2al4VnQCLcB/s640/ironing%2Bboard2.jpg" width="537" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>(You can see the new thread cabinet tucked underneath the end in the first picture.)</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Loretta</span></i></b></div></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-1728335858399482072016-09-26T09:50:00.000-04:002016-09-26T09:50:55.013-04:00Quilts of Valor...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">our heroes and she-roes!"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>~</b><b>Maya Angelou</b></span></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>This past Saturday I was honored to be able to join a sew-in for the West Virginia chapter of <a href="http://www.qovf.org/" target="_blank">Quilts of Valor</a>. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><h2 style="background: none rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: rgb(182, 36, 31) !important; font-family: &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 26px !important; font-style: italic !important; font-weight: 100 !important; line-height: 1.269em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">The mission of the Quilts of Valor Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.</h2><div><br /></div><div><b>This sew-in was organized by Beverly of Quilter's Garage, a quilt shop in Jane Lew, WV, and was held at the Community Center/Senior Center in Jane Lew. &nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>This is Maribeth Shreve, the coordinator of the West Virginia chapter of Quilts of Valor, showing us a completed version of the quilt we would be making that day...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MagbRgHttzk/V-kjvKrSZwI/AAAAAAAAIdo/ZQLCK8zgrjIlkFr4bkW4ssbWuWiu9gK2ACLcB/s1600/qov3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MagbRgHttzk/V-kjvKrSZwI/AAAAAAAAIdo/ZQLCK8zgrjIlkFr4bkW4ssbWuWiu9gK2ACLcB/s400/qov3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>There were 8-10 sewists in attendance. &nbsp;The room was spacious, had great lighting, and we didn't trip the circuit breaker once with all of our irons and sewing machines! &nbsp;:)</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRXgt3Ds5YU/V-kjvFAINrI/AAAAAAAAIdw/ogmOhgnaVfQtm0BjucErgU3a-FRp5v3WACEw/s1600/qov1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HRXgt3Ds5YU/V-kjvFAINrI/AAAAAAAAIdw/ogmOhgnaVfQtm0BjucErgU3a-FRp5v3WACEw/s400/qov1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otcymzZfxpE/V-kjvA3nGsI/AAAAAAAAIds/V5lSVAKiC4san43zTSybOvgd8u7iVuzOQCEw/s1600/qov2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otcymzZfxpE/V-kjvA3nGsI/AAAAAAAAIds/V5lSVAKiC4san43zTSybOvgd8u7iVuzOQCEw/s400/qov2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>I took my trusty $2.00 Singer 301A...named Byonce (because she is a light brown singer!) &nbsp;I love this machine more than my Singer Featherweights...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3CRYpXm7zEs/V-kjvvs6V5I/AAAAAAAAId0/gANDqH3XNJ8dtsK_GGJEwi00H-IelJVLgCEw/s1600/qov4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3CRYpXm7zEs/V-kjvvs6V5I/AAAAAAAAId0/gANDqH3XNJ8dtsK_GGJEwi00H-IelJVLgCEw/s400/qov4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>We were divided up into two groups and each group worked together to complete a quilt top which will then be quilted by volunteer long-arm quilters. &nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Top #1...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw2awn-TlaI/V-kjvz-KbwI/AAAAAAAAId4/UvItUN-xpjsg9x1t323KI-fHzDWNqhbNwCEw/s1600/qov5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iw2awn-TlaI/V-kjvz-KbwI/AAAAAAAAId4/UvItUN-xpjsg9x1t323KI-fHzDWNqhbNwCEw/s640/qov5.jpg" width="508" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Top #2 (the one I worked on)...</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tk53Q8r4AfI/V-kjv0evwyI/AAAAAAAAId8/cFpQc2H_1qYZud2v3Ra17W047inp_yqxACEw/s1600/qov7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tk53Q8r4AfI/V-kjv0evwyI/AAAAAAAAId8/cFpQc2H_1qYZud2v3Ra17W047inp_yqxACEw/s640/qov7.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>The finished quilts will be gifted to West Virginia veterans.</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>It was a lot of fun getting together with other quilters&nbsp;</b><b>and working on this project</b><b>...none of whom I knew previously, except for Maribeth. &nbsp;But I did make some new friends that day and we all had a great time laughing, joking, and sewing...and eating (we had a potluck lunch)...while working on this very important project. &nbsp;</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>I'll definitely be more involved with Quilts of Valor from now on!</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-75266377007845449442016-09-15T13:14:00.001-04:002016-09-15T13:14:48.557-04:00The Quilt That Almost Wasn't...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-iXP1EzNJk/V9rRFFZl_zI/AAAAAAAAIbE/sFZFrFGzdyMrJP8Kl_L2mNqYMQsG2pJEACLcB/s1600/F1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E-iXP1EzNJk/V9rRFFZl_zI/AAAAAAAAIbE/sFZFrFGzdyMrJP8Kl_L2mNqYMQsG2pJEACLcB/s400/F1.jpeg" width="330" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>This past weekend, I FINALLY decided what design I was going to quilt on the Christmas Stars quilt and started quilting it. &nbsp;However, my thread kept breaking frequently. &nbsp;ARGH!!!! &nbsp;I re-threaded the machine till I was blue in the face and changed my needle 3-4 times...you know...the basics of what to do when your upper thread breaks. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I googled "upper thread breaking" for my particular machine and I saw where some people had to use a size 16 topstitch needle in this machine when using thicker thread. &nbsp;(I'm using Sulky 30 wt. cotton...this is the first time I've used a thread this thick.) &nbsp;I didn't have a "topstitch" needle, but I did have a 16 "jeans/denim" needle. &nbsp;Tried that. &nbsp;Still breakage. &nbsp;:(</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I also saw that you should loosen the tension with thicker thread, so tried that as far as I dared...still breakage! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Okay...so now I'm about to throw this quilt in the back of the cupboard and forget about it! &nbsp;Double ARGH!!! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Then today I received an email from Superior Threads and in it they mentioned that they had a troubleshooting guide. &nbsp;I went to their site and pulled up this <a href="https://vw-superiorthreads.storage.googleapis.com/docs/troubleshooting-guide.pdf" target="_blank">guide</a>. &nbsp; Before I discarded the idea of finishing this quilt...or running out to Walmart for topstitch needles...or abandoning this thread and buying something else to use...I decided to follow their suggestion and loosen the tension all the way to "0" and gradually tighten it back up from there.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>GUESS WHAT??? &nbsp;It WORKED!!! &nbsp;I usually sew on this machine with the tension around "3" on Juki's scale of 1-4. &nbsp;But at 1.5 I was no longer seeing the top thread on the back of the quilt sandwich and my thread is NO LONGER BREAKING!!! &nbsp; In my timidity, I just hadn't loosened the tension enough before!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>It is a pleasure to machine quilt once more and this quilt WILL get done!!! &nbsp;I had originally hoped to enter it into the quilt show next year (borrowing it back from its recipient after Christmas), but there are too many issues with the stitching from where I was having trouble with the thread/tension, so I'm just going to have to do another quilt to enter! &nbsp;;)</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4z1s9Y9Wjtk/V9rRM5JAQZI/AAAAAAAAIbM/lOJzh7zt7fAC1VhnJ4S4DXLAndCA7eDSQCLcB/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4z1s9Y9Wjtk/V9rRM5JAQZI/AAAAAAAAIbM/lOJzh7zt7fAC1VhnJ4S4DXLAndCA7eDSQCLcB/s400/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gt6WuntafE/V9rRM09FWeI/AAAAAAAAIb0/ToCBTpLHNJ0x3S4DfE0mAVwjUJt6j-FUwCEw/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4gt6WuntafE/V9rRM09FWeI/AAAAAAAAIb0/ToCBTpLHNJ0x3S4DfE0mAVwjUJt6j-FUwCEw/s400/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHOIwVpskBk/V9rRMsp_brI/AAAAAAAAIb0/TKXpUsYpPbYqC18eFzIqMCfzhbfIR7-qQCEw/s1600/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HHOIwVpskBk/V9rRMsp_brI/AAAAAAAAIb0/TKXpUsYpPbYqC18eFzIqMCfzhbfIR7-qQCEw/s400/Christmas%2BStars%2Bquilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>My machine quilting still isn't very good, but it is getting better and I'm glad I did take the time a few months ago to practice practice practice! &nbsp;It definitely made a difference.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>"Done is better than perfect!" &nbsp;Though it's not "done" yet...it is well on it's way to being so! &nbsp;:)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUswn-sGhhM/V9rRNVEbR-I/AAAAAAAAIb0/atm4zg-_ovwITLt-U1HhFfzjMkw-8jMIgCEw/s1600/pic3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUswn-sGhhM/V9rRNVEbR-I/AAAAAAAAIb0/atm4zg-_ovwITLt-U1HhFfzjMkw-8jMIgCEw/s400/pic3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>This past Monday was the grand opening of the new Hobby Lobby store in Morgantown, WV. &nbsp;Guess who was in attendance? &nbsp;My good friend (and neighbor), Kathy, joined me. &nbsp;Though neither one of spent very much there that day, I know I WILL be going back in the future! &nbsp;It's nice to finally have one in our area!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>We spent the rest of the day together going to ACMoore and then out to eat and had a great time together! &nbsp;It's always nice to spend some relaxed time with a good friend who "gets" you! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Loretta</span></i></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-29161718745556161212016-09-06T15:10:00.000-04:002016-09-06T15:10:35.731-04:00More Quilting Going On...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt4fX_Lx4kk/V88RJjH1qZI/AAAAAAAAIYo/Q6DnkM9f_AEt4tE0lmzVdlWI2k0PecgUQCLcB/s1600/8029b949508a880261e5164ad0a52f86.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lt4fX_Lx4kk/V88RJjH1qZI/AAAAAAAAIYo/Q6DnkM9f_AEt4tE0lmzVdlWI2k0PecgUQCLcB/s400/8029b949508a880261e5164ad0a52f86.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>I've been making more selvage blocks over the last couple of weeks, but instead of making them so scrappy as I had started out, I decided I wanted a more "controlled scrappy" look. &nbsp;I decided to use a blue calico and a white-on-white for the star points and background. &nbsp;The center of the stars are the scrappy blocks made with the selvages. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfqVQgu07lo/V88G7j2NKyI/AAAAAAAAIYM/yiDBxeV2Bt41G_mQVBUUPN2UNwkjpUKqwCEw/s1600/selvage%2Bblocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WfqVQgu07lo/V88G7j2NKyI/AAAAAAAAIYM/yiDBxeV2Bt41G_mQVBUUPN2UNwkjpUKqwCEw/s400/selvage%2Bblocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The blue and white fabrics are from my stash, so no wallets were harmed in the making of these blocks! &nbsp;:D</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I have 27 blocks finished right now and many, many, many more selvage centers that still to have star points added to them. &nbsp;The blocks are 8" finished. &nbsp;I don't know how big the quilt will be...but basically, it will be as big as I have blocks for when I'm done! &nbsp;I have used all the selvages with wording/number/dots from my selvage basket. &nbsp;The only selvages I have left now are the ones that have no white at all or only plain white with fabric, but no words, numbers, or dots. &nbsp;I plan on using all of those selvages to try my hand at <a href="http://radianthomestudio.com/fabric-scrap-bowl-tutorials/" target="_blank">fabric-covered clothesline bowls. </a>&nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>My "Christmas Stars" quilt is sandwiched and ready for me to start machine quilting on it. &nbsp;I have to figure out if I'm going to try some sort of design in the body of it or just do meandering in the body and then a design in the borders. &nbsp;Still thinking on these things...waiting for the quilt to speak to me and tell me what it wants! &nbsp;:D</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a82Y6CDkZXU/V88G6FciNfI/AAAAAAAAIYM/iDODyI6n0XU4R33gPdxj_qCI4doC1lCdQCEw/s1600/christmas%2Bstars%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a82Y6CDkZXU/V88G6FciNfI/AAAAAAAAIYM/iDODyI6n0XU4R33gPdxj_qCI4doC1lCdQCEw/s640/christmas%2Bstars%2Bquilt.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Loretta</span></i></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-29123145537679299442016-09-06T14:50:00.000-04:002016-09-06T14:50:23.704-04:002016 Grafton Beautification Project...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KX9d5pSS5GE/V88G6zyV_xI/AAAAAAAAIYA/TqY5daW_iz41wwHfiy78gdHFLfZV3sWMQCLcB/s1600/lemons-into-lemonade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KX9d5pSS5GE/V88G6zyV_xI/AAAAAAAAIYA/TqY5daW_iz41wwHfiy78gdHFLfZV3sWMQCLcB/s400/lemons-into-lemonade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>This past April, our little town of Grafton, WV, was pelted with lemons...I mean hail balls. &nbsp;Grafton was instantly inundated with insurance adjusters from every company imaginable! &nbsp;Next came the contractors...and finding someone to so body work on your car was impossible because of all the damage! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Our house damage consisted of holes in the house siding on the north side (the direction the hail came from), broken shutters, dented gutters and downspouts, and dings in the roofing shingles. &nbsp;As for our cars, both of Andy's cars look like someone took a ball-ping hammer to them...the Baja got totaled by the insurance company, but we didn't have full-coverage on his old Forester. &nbsp;</b><br /><b>The insurance company covered a lot of the damage...roof, gutters, downspouts, etc...but would only pay to replace the siding and shutters on the north side of the house that got damaged. &nbsp; Unfortunately, both the siding and shutters were 16 years old and faded...and couldn't be "matched"...so we decided to throw in the extra money to have the entire house re-sided completely and all new shutters. &nbsp;We also decided to go ahead and have the last 4 original-to-the-house windows and the front cement steps replaced while we were at it.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Last week the contractors finished up their part. &nbsp;Now there are a couple of things we need to do to truly finish it off, but we can do those things over the next couple of weeks as the weather cools down a little and becomes a little more bearable! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smbMn6wH1kU/V88G6X64IsI/AAAAAAAAIYM/0T0SLC5cS-8BwumsqzRnWrpaEB4kYj2pgCEw/s1600/house1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-smbMn6wH1kU/V88G6X64IsI/AAAAAAAAIYM/0T0SLC5cS-8BwumsqzRnWrpaEB4kYj2pgCEw/s400/house1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The new siding color is slightly darker and less "yellow" than the previous color. &nbsp;The previous shutters were Wedgewood Blue and slatted...the new ones are black and solid.</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The white area between the porch floor and the ground is where Andy &amp; I are going to put up <a href="http://airstone.com/collections/" target="_blank">Airstone</a>&nbsp;in the Autumn Mountain color. &nbsp;That is the same color of Airstone that we put in our kitchen...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqbQYxU9c6c/V88LwjScmoI/AAAAAAAAIYY/6Aoo8vEqppYEVHb3jKqHBcli_5ZriQjtgCLcB/s1600/k7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XqbQYxU9c6c/V88LwjScmoI/AAAAAAAAIYY/6Aoo8vEqppYEVHb3jKqHBcli_5ZriQjtgCLcB/s400/k7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Continuing to the north side of the house...this is the side that got the majority of the damage...about 40 holes in the siding and all 4 sets of shutters were damaged as well as the metal wrap around the windows. &nbsp;We also replace the stove pipe since it was grungy-looking!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGZMB8YQ--8/V88G6-XNDRI/AAAAAAAAIYM/QBGcXu5o-iw8qv4Ui9OLLmbqxdaW9gMlQCEw/s1600/house4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lGZMB8YQ--8/V88G6-XNDRI/AAAAAAAAIYM/QBGcXu5o-iw8qv4Ui9OLLmbqxdaW9gMlQCEw/s400/house4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>This is the south and west sides of the house...the three windows across the upper back are 3 of the 4 new windows. &nbsp;(I don't have a picture of the 4th window, but it is a crank-out "awning" window in the bathroom.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pcXLzBgYrk/V88G7JI2NKI/AAAAAAAAIYM/cOtE6TLLvBk60UhFzVYIF-xwHoPM5VHxwCEw/s1600/house6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9pcXLzBgYrk/V88G7JI2NKI/AAAAAAAAIYM/cOtE6TLLvBk60UhFzVYIF-xwHoPM5VHxwCEw/s400/house6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>Because of the extensive damage throughout Grafton, almost all of the houses are getting new roofs and many, many, many of them are also getting new siding...thus why I have been referring to it as the "2016 Grafton Beautification Project"! &nbsp;LOL</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I LOVE the way our house turned out! &nbsp;I will post more pictures when we get the Airstone done in the front!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-29589685446480063932016-08-15T12:05:00.002-04:002016-08-15T12:26:10.590-04:00A Quilt Showing and A New Project...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">"In this world, there's always going to be people who are better then you, so stop comparing yourself to others, and just be the best you."</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">~author unknown</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><b><br /></b><b>Our local quilt group,<a href="http://www.millenniumquilters.net/" target="_blank"> the Millennium Quilters</a>, held their quilt show. &nbsp;I had never entered any of my quilts in a show before because: &nbsp;1) &nbsp;I give away almost all of my quilts so never have one here to enter; &nbsp;and 2) &nbsp;I don't think my work is "show-worthy". &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I wasn't going to enter one this year because the only quilt that I have of the six I made last year was the one I sent out to be long-armed and there isn't enough quilting on the borders, and knew I'd get dinged for that. &nbsp;The rest of the quilt is beautifully quilted, but there just wasn't enough quilting done in the borders. &nbsp;:( &nbsp;I should have added more quilting there myself before I added the binding, but didn't...and if I try to add some now, it will all just pucker because of the binding being on already. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Then about 2 weeks ago, I was laying on the decompression table at the chiropractor's office and saw the "Mr. Chillingsworth" quilt hanging on the wall...the one that I had gifted to him last year...</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmBGNJuCHOw/V7HfgWglpwI/AAAAAAAAIU4/lCJHqHJYPyssVlWTQArQE0YWfH8jgYpNwCLcB/s1600/Doc%2527s%2Bquilt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wmBGNJuCHOw/V7HfgWglpwI/AAAAAAAAIU4/lCJHqHJYPyssVlWTQArQE0YWfH8jgYpNwCLcB/s640/Doc%2527s%2Bquilt.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><br /><b>I asked to borrow it for the show and entered it. &nbsp;The show was this past weekend and here is it hanging in the show...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIF3a9NUlDs/V7HfWcQJ8dI/AAAAAAAAIUc/3i8T80dkatgL9YwPo-YN_qKJEEaAHgmuwCEw/s1600/quilt%2Bshow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wIF3a9NUlDs/V7HfWcQJ8dI/AAAAAAAAIUc/3i8T80dkatgL9YwPo-YN_qKJEEaAHgmuwCEw/s640/quilt%2Bshow2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b>Well...would you look at that??? &nbsp;It got "Honorable Mention" in it's class!!! &nbsp;Wow!!! &nbsp;Cool!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Vi4AgWWuc/V7HfWNRwZ4I/AAAAAAAAIUY/qfZvK6ycuAkqbyNMclQkk8jD5QHULHyYQCEw/s1600/quilt%2Bshow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p8Vi4AgWWuc/V7HfWNRwZ4I/AAAAAAAAIUY/qfZvK6ycuAkqbyNMclQkk8jD5QHULHyYQCEw/s640/quilt%2Bshow3.jpg" width="384" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32XkVD6QpZE/V7HfW4vfk1I/AAAAAAAAIUk/2ESdW2JC2VEgoRlGsTTXERzqz1yfYPN1ACEw/s1600/quilt%2Bshow4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-32XkVD6QpZE/V7HfW4vfk1I/AAAAAAAAIUk/2ESdW2JC2VEgoRlGsTTXERzqz1yfYPN1ACEw/s640/quilt%2Bshow4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>So...yeah...I'll be entering more quilts in future shows! &nbsp;LOL</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>I have started on a new project...</b><br /><b>I save the selvages off of the edge of my fabric (for those "non-quilters" out there...the selvage is what they put on the edge of the fabric to hold it onto the printing machines in the making of the fabric. &nbsp;The make-up is denser and has printing on it, so you don't want to put it into your quilt. &nbsp;However, many people save them and make them into a separate quilt...aptly named "selvage quilts"!)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>This is what my selvage basket looked like...time to use them up!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcrw7HpaReM/V7HhwRbhglI/AAAAAAAAIVE/RLsjyuvteN4Lk9dN8XqBJt4suE1peakrwCLcB/s1600/selvage%2Bquilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rcrw7HpaReM/V7HhwRbhglI/AAAAAAAAIVE/RLsjyuvteN4Lk9dN8XqBJt4suE1peakrwCLcB/s400/selvage%2Bquilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>I am making these star blocks using up some leftover 2.5" HST's from other projects as well as some new ones made with my new Accuquilt GO...all made from my scraps!!! &nbsp; The selvages are foundation-pieced to used dryer sheets...which I press lightly with a cool iron, then cut down to 4.5" using my Accuquilt GO. &nbsp;(I use my dryer sheets 2-3 times in the dryer before using them in a quilt to make sure there are no more oils or softener on them. &nbsp;Once the softener is gone from them, they are merely a lightweight piece of non-woven material...similar to very lightweight interfacing. &nbsp;I keep an empty tissue box on the dryer to put the used dryer sheets in when I pull clothes from the dryer.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr6n0xO2yN8/V7HfXAq7HPI/AAAAAAAAIU8/2FQDmUIgfu4Al5xr1npXZKXYaQCtClmuwCEw/s1600/selvage%2Bquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lr6n0xO2yN8/V7HfXAq7HPI/AAAAAAAAIU8/2FQDmUIgfu4Al5xr1npXZKXYaQCtClmuwCEw/s640/selvage%2Bquilt1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTZahdbKSfw/V7HfXuGVqHI/AAAAAAAAIU8/MW2uh5w0g_c1GkTZCoVHMw5AH9qmLSyawCEw/s1600/selvage%2Bquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WTZahdbKSfw/V7HfXuGVqHI/AAAAAAAAIU8/MW2uh5w0g_c1GkTZCoVHMw5AH9qmLSyawCEw/s400/selvage%2Bquilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krFliRvmaFc/V7HfXx4_v9I/AAAAAAAAIU8/knN2oNMs-3cAPBv5v30tUuDvkgTTLXWYACEw/s1600/selvage%2Bquilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-krFliRvmaFc/V7HfXx4_v9I/AAAAAAAAIU8/knN2oNMs-3cAPBv5v30tUuDvkgTTLXWYACEw/s400/selvage%2Bquilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b>These blocks are so much fun to make and go rather quickly because there is no sewing/flipping/pressing like with other blocks. &nbsp;Here is the tutorial I used: &nbsp;http://quispamsisquilter.blogspot.com/2011/08/simple-selvage-square-quilt-block.html. &nbsp;I use all the selvages...not just the ones with writing. &nbsp;Here is a YouTube video showing how to make a selvage block, too, for those of you who like to actually see them being made: &nbsp;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKniayPTeKc. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>This is what the creative <strike>mess</strike> process looks like in my sewing room...</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSjGD0JVJvI/V7HfXYWEodI/AAAAAAAAIU8/r6m0uvqmiO4LyBXSOVZ-bsryh3PC8vmEwCEw/s1600/selvage%2Bquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iSjGD0JVJvI/V7HfXYWEodI/AAAAAAAAIU8/r6m0uvqmiO4LyBXSOVZ-bsryh3PC8vmEwCEw/s400/selvage%2Bquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>Hope this gives you some ideas of what to do with that fabric that you've been cutting off and not using.</b><br /><b><br /></b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b><br /><b><br /></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-16448719564666706162016-08-05T13:05:00.000-04:002016-08-05T13:05:06.333-04:00Where Have You Been All My Quilting Life???....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">“Be decisive. Right or wrong, make a decision.&nbsp;</span></b><b><span style="color: #351c75;">The roads of life&nbsp;</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">are paved with flat squirrels who couldn’t make a decision.”</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Unknown</span></b></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>My dad used to say "the roof only needs fixed when it's raining." &nbsp;The meaning was that sometimes we only learn that we need things WHEN we need them. &nbsp;That's how it has been with my difficulty with cutting out quilt pieces. &nbsp;I average about 5-6 quilts a year...and the actual "cutting" part is only a portion of the quilting process...so there are only a few times a year that I remember that I need help...and that is with the cutting part. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>With my neck and back issues (arthritis, stenosis, and herniated discs), I have difficulty cutting using a rotary cutter. &nbsp;I even bought the <a href="https://www.martellinotions.com/shop/rotary-cutter/rotary-cutter-45mm-right-hand/" target="_blank">Martelli rotary cutter</a> that was supposed to be easier to use. &nbsp;(I found that I don't care for it that much...out of all of my rotary cutters that I have tried, I actually prefer my <a href="http://www.olfa.com/splash-45mm-rotary-cutter,-aqua-(rty-2%2Fc)/1110720.html" target="_blank">"Splash" Olfa rotary cutter</a>.)</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Every time I have to cut pieces for a quilt I wish that I had a fabric cutter. &nbsp;In fact, I *almost* purchased an <a href="https://www.accuquilt.com/shop/fabric-cutters-compared.html" target="_blank">Accuquilt GO</a> last December when they went on sale for Christmas. &nbsp;But, alas, I wasn't cutting out a quilt so I didn't *need* one. &nbsp;Are you seeing the thinking here? &nbsp;I only realize I *need* one when I'm cutting out a quilt...and each time, when I am done cutting, I think "see...I really don't need one...I can do it just fine." &nbsp;But really I can't. &nbsp;:( &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>At my last massage session my massage therapist was appalled at the issues I had from my right neck down to my right thumb...all from having cut out the Christmas Stars quilt. &nbsp;:(</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>So that was it...it was TIME to splurge and purchase something that I needed to make it possible to continue quilting. &nbsp;And to my very pleasant surpise...the price had dropped $100 from the previous price!!! &nbsp;(The usual price was $349, but would go on sale in December for $300. &nbsp;The new low price is $249!!!)</b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoDKIz_weVc/V6TC_i2d2DI/AAAAAAAAIR8/46lbSVi6zdMmYhilx1z5NhaePNCkjbzGgCLcB/s1600/accuquilt6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FoDKIz_weVc/V6TC_i2d2DI/AAAAAAAAIR8/46lbSVi6zdMmYhilx1z5NhaePNCkjbzGgCLcB/s400/accuquilt6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCzUsBpotLs/V6TC_F5ZDJI/AAAAAAAAIR4/sYvJwofrlgcuwWYattK7HNIatsGdnBMOQCLcB/s1600/accuquilt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zCzUsBpotLs/V6TC_F5ZDJI/AAAAAAAAIR4/sYvJwofrlgcuwWYattK7HNIatsGdnBMOQCLcB/s400/accuquilt4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I set it up yesterday and tried it out using some scrap fabric like they suggest. &nbsp;Within MINUTES I had cut 36 HST's (half-square triangle pieces) and sewed them together!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnMqqGl5ywk/V6TC_VRNpjI/AAAAAAAAISA/njJ8yBISKjAgSJ8pJzGc7DEJUL8r2NQDQCEw/s1600/accuquilt5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KnMqqGl5ywk/V6TC_VRNpjI/AAAAAAAAISA/njJ8yBISKjAgSJ8pJzGc7DEJUL8r2NQDQCEw/s400/accuquilt5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>I did some "test" sewing on the first 3 sets to find my exact needle position for the new pieces...since they are cut perfectly each time, they are all the exact same size...so I had to find out where the perfect needle position was for them...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuOFNh2hmhI/V6TC-rSA8FI/AAAAAAAAIR0/KeS4v__TG00Ynl-gaO2fqeWI14SUDfa8gCEw/s1600/accuquilt3.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KuOFNh2hmhI/V6TC-rSA8FI/AAAAAAAAIR0/KeS4v__TG00Ynl-gaO2fqeWI14SUDfa8gCEw/s320/accuquilt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akToEWj1k7E/V6TC-agJMBI/AAAAAAAAIRw/fXU1Y-wMNgwQv-Ojuko0KiPvp420RNowQCEw/s1600/accuquilt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-akToEWj1k7E/V6TC-agJMBI/AAAAAAAAIRw/fXU1Y-wMNgwQv-Ojuko0KiPvp420RNowQCEw/s400/accuquilt2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>I even took some of the "corners" that I had saved when cutting off of previous quilt blocks and ran them through the Accuquilt. &nbsp;I was able to resize them to exactly the size I needed! &nbsp;How easy was that??? &nbsp;No more measuring, flipping/rotating rulers, etc., that is involved in cutting out pieces!!!</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1kSYm2TrZY/V6TC-X7tVzI/AAAAAAAAIRs/-IvlBKIkwJwm5-JpKgcXdSSdeCTtoizSQCEw/s1600/accuquilt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x1kSYm2TrZY/V6TC-X7tVzI/AAAAAAAAIRs/-IvlBKIkwJwm5-JpKgcXdSSdeCTtoizSQCEw/s400/accuquilt1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>Like I said, within mere minutes I had turned a pile of scraps into 2.5" HST's!!! &nbsp; &nbsp;:) &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Of course, now I wish that I had invested in this sooooooooooo much sooner!!! &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b>And now...onto other news...</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The roof got replaced about a month ago from the hail damage we had in April. &nbsp;The 4 windows we were getting replaced got done about 10 days ago. &nbsp;And today they started replacing the siding...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbM9ueEikAg/V6TC-M2MuBI/AAAAAAAAIRo/FXwLo7GObqc5eXfZ5jt7EtHmZyW4i3WYwCEw/s1600/IMG_20160805_120414.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbM9ueEikAg/V6TC-M2MuBI/AAAAAAAAIRo/FXwLo7GObqc5eXfZ5jt7EtHmZyW4i3WYwCEw/s320/IMG_20160805_120414.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-25433989682679104042016-07-28T13:47:00.000-04:002016-07-28T13:47:37.792-04:00Christmas Stars...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Quote for the Day:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; line-height: 21px;">“Christmas doesn't come from a store,&nbsp;</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; line-height: 21px;">maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....”&nbsp;</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">~ Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!</span></b></div><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">A little birdie told me last year that she'd like a Christmas quilt, so for the past month or so, I've been working on a Christmas quilt that I designed myself in EQ7. &nbsp;I am happy to announce that the last of the three borders are now on the quilt and it is ready to be sandwiched and quilted. &nbsp;It ended up 100" x 100"! &nbsp;Whew!...it's gonna be FUN trying to quilt it on my little domestic sewing machine! &nbsp; :(</span></b><br /><b><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svh90v-5Tjc/V5pCAW_wELI/AAAAAAAAIQY/T0ibuk3LuZgqS36rKC6Ie6YOrA6pHqQOgCLcB/s1600/help-emoticon.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Svh90v-5Tjc/V5pCAW_wELI/AAAAAAAAIQY/T0ibuk3LuZgqS36rKC6Ie6YOrA6pHqQOgCLcB/s200/help-emoticon.png" width="144" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">So here's pics of the scrappy "Christmas Stars" quilt top...</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJib5WvZ0q8/V5pB_1KFc4I/AAAAAAAAIQU/5Y8JTb8GDQkUaABxgdQq31hzqr8fjIblACEw/s1600/Christmas%2BStars2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJib5WvZ0q8/V5pB_1KFc4I/AAAAAAAAIQU/5Y8JTb8GDQkUaABxgdQq31hzqr8fjIblACEw/s400/Christmas%2BStars2.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--B1M28t5v04/V5pCAMxxKXI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/zGBNw2qZuGgZD1c64MJNnwiYgDcZWvoXQCEw/s1600/Christmas%2BStars1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--B1M28t5v04/V5pCAMxxKXI/AAAAAAAAIQQ/zGBNw2qZuGgZD1c64MJNnwiYgDcZWvoXQCEw/s640/Christmas%2BStars1.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></b></div><br /><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Even the THREE borders are scrappy!!!</span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyqO-BEiksM/V5pB_19Yy-I/AAAAAAAAIQM/igYTXOcX2fo7UAsP4anTVOvCxwFdqpvowCEw/s1600/Christmas%2Bstars3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyqO-BEiksM/V5pB_19Yy-I/AAAAAAAAIQM/igYTXOcX2fo7UAsP4anTVOvCxwFdqpvowCEw/s400/Christmas%2Bstars3.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">I need to either purchase a king-sized batting for it or piece one from the batting pieces I have on hand. &nbsp;I also need to piece together a backing for it. &nbsp;THEN I will get it sandwiched and start the quilting on it.</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;"><i>Loretta</i></span></span></b></div></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6942097866658027545.post-82481824955163666872016-07-09T16:37:00.000-04:002016-07-09T16:37:11.350-04:00My Current Quilt Projects...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBbwIAq_LC8/V4FZqw2JngI/AAAAAAAAIOk/41vUvPTvChwKQBY2VCb5U7kyFQ2h6K6KgCLcB/s1600/4e088d03491ba65f00eca2659a9f61fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bBbwIAq_LC8/V4FZqw2JngI/AAAAAAAAIOk/41vUvPTvChwKQBY2VCb5U7kyFQ2h6K6KgCLcB/s320/4e088d03491ba65f00eca2659a9f61fd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><b>All of the Christmas fabrics start showing up in quilt stores in July. &nbsp;There's a reason for this! &nbsp;If you're gonna get a quilt made in time for Christmas, you've gotta start EARLY!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>I actually started this wall hanging quilt about 3 years ago...at the beginning of December...not a good idea! &nbsp;LOL &nbsp;It was a panel that I saw on display at the LQS and I had to have it! &nbsp;I started out handquilting it in my small, portable Q-Snap frame...taking it to guild meetings, etc., and working on it there. &nbsp; It wasn't getting done very fast, OBVIOUSLY...so after I finished the Baskets quilt that was in my floor frame, I decided to put this one in the floor frame and finish it. &nbsp;It is getting done a lot quicker now and will be ready to hang this Christmas season!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwLYBlI6fZI/V4FT6dYgB4I/AAAAAAAAIOQ/Gx-FhlblkfodTyezrk-xy1kMDPdEKBAagCKgB/s1600/Oh%2BChristmas%2BTree1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FwLYBlI6fZI/V4FT6dYgB4I/AAAAAAAAIOQ/Gx-FhlblkfodTyezrk-xy1kMDPdEKBAagCKgB/s400/Oh%2BChristmas%2BTree1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYVJgzp9-zI/V4FUCe5oZyI/AAAAAAAAIOU/vdgzdyZCnP8CBUcmtKaJAIG13NekUL3VwCKgB/s1600/Oh%2BChristmas%2BTree2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iYVJgzp9-zI/V4FUCe5oZyI/AAAAAAAAIOU/vdgzdyZCnP8CBUcmtKaJAIG13NekUL3VwCKgB/s400/Oh%2BChristmas%2BTree2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><b>My current piecing project is also a Christmas quilt...this time a queen-sized quilt. &nbsp;Last Christmas my daughter-in-law said she'd like a Christmas quilt, so I designed one in EQ7 for her...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBFMqvbRko/V4FT4DS3QZI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/XiBy81geDlgWr4mMYa8LT3VTN9rmP__6wCKgB/s1600/Christmas%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dwBFMqvbRko/V4FT4DS3QZI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/XiBy81geDlgWr4mMYa8LT3VTN9rmP__6wCKgB/s400/Christmas%2Bquilt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>It's coming along nicely! &nbsp;All of the green/white blocks are pieced and squared up. &nbsp;I'm currently piecing the star blocks and am about 1/3rd of the way done with them. &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b>When we were in Tennessee in June, we went to the Mt. Juliet Farmisan Market because our daughter had a booth there selling her <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theglassygarden/?fref=ts" target="_blank">glass bird feeders</a>. &nbsp; Across from her booth <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CrittendenCustomCreations/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Crittenden Custom Creations</a> had a booth set up and I went over to investigate. &nbsp; Bill Crittenden makes hand-turned pens so I asked him if he had ever made any seam rippers. &nbsp;He acknowledged that he had never done one before but was anxious to make one and took my order. &nbsp;I received it about a week ago and am sooooooo impressed with it! &nbsp;It is beautiful!!!</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEq7TOAzhGw/V4FT7Q9eWsI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/seBadFFKf1giX7ixXHDriUk4aE6D8tGwgCKgB/s1600/seam%2Bripper2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UEq7TOAzhGw/V4FT7Q9eWsI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/seBadFFKf1giX7ixXHDriUk4aE6D8tGwgCKgB/s400/seam%2Bripper2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btPYzG0uH0o/V4FT7HdE1zI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/jELnr127O2MsVDjzkE7fGG1X8RPtOXMOgCKgB/s1600/seam%2Bripper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-btPYzG0uH0o/V4FT7HdE1zI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/jELnr127O2MsVDjzkE7fGG1X8RPtOXMOgCKgB/s400/seam%2Bripper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The handle is carved from a rectangled block of dyed plywood! &nbsp;It is double-ended. &nbsp;You pull out the metal end, turn it around and push the rounded piece back into the hole in the end to get this...</b><br /><b><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvKwfp4yfqQ/V4FT7sOsBRI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/cKVwwVGaomoCFgojGYotE32Om3IDDAgtwCKgB/s1600/seam%2Bripper3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bvKwfp4yfqQ/V4FT7sOsBRI/AAAAAAAAIOQ/cKVwwVGaomoCFgojGYotE32Om3IDDAgtwCKgB/s400/seam%2Bripper3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br /></b><b>The end on the left is bigger...more for coarse cloth like denim or canvas. &nbsp;The end on the right is finer and more for lightweight fabrics, like quilter's cotton. &nbsp;I love the feel of it in my hand...it is very well balanced...like a nice writing instrument. &nbsp;I haven't had any seams that needed ripped out since receiving it, but I'm sure that will all come to a screeching halt when I start joining my blocks on the Christmas quilt! &nbsp;(Joining the blocks to make a top is ALWAYS where I make my mistakes!!!) &nbsp;</b><br /><b><br /></b><b><br /></b><b><i><span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">Loretta</span></i></b></div>Lorettahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07170601007421855433noreply@blogger.com6